SYNTHESIS OF TRIACETIN FROM CRUDE GLYCEROL, BY-

PRODUCT OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Zsanett Herseczki, Varga Tamás, Gyula Marton

University of Pannonia, H-8200 Veszprem, POB 158, Hungary
hzsanett@almos.uni-pannon.hu

Abstract

Glycerol holds the potential of being an extremely versatile building block within the
biorefinery. Although many uses have been developed for glycerol, most product markets are
currently small and fragmented. However, development of a biodiesel market could have a
huge impact on the availability and use of glycerol. Since glycerol is a key coproduct of
biodiesel manufacture, increasing use of biodiesel will lead to much greater glycerol
availability and lower cost. At lower projected costs, there is a tremendous potential to
develop a variety of new processes and product lines from glycerol, taking advantage of its
unique structure and properties. As glycerol is a nontoxic, edible, biodegradable compound, it
will provide important environmental benefits to the new platform products.
The aim of the work is to study esterification of glycerol by acetic acid and to develop a
concept for utilization of crude glycerol, by-product of biodiesel production to produce
triacetate ester of glycerol, triacetin.
O

O O
OH
O
HO OH + 3 H3C + 3 H2 O
OH
O O

O
Synthesis of triacetin

Triacetin, is a clear, combustible and oily liquid with a bitter taste and a fatty odor. It has
properties of both glycerol and acetate. Triacetin is found in some food like butter and it is
used as a food additive for the solvency of flavourings for the function of humectant. It is
used as an antifungal agent in external medicine for topical treatment of superficial infections
of the skin. According to the engine performance characteristics and environmental
repercussions triacetin represents a promising material, which can be used as fuel additive.
A convenient method has been developed for synthesis of triacetin from glycerol and acetic
acid using H2SO4 and commercial strong acid ion-exchange resins (Amberlyst 15 and
Amberlyst 36) as catalyst. Resulting triacetin was obtained in almost quantitative yield.
Created reaction mechanism was supported by analytical spectrums. A well detailed dynamic
model of the reactor where the experiments were performed has been worked out.
The developed mathematical model of reactor can be applied to unfold reaction steps of other
synthesis, but before a final conclusion can be drawn more experiments need to be done. Due
to the reactor model other synthesis can be performed and analyzed in the reactor system in
future.