Propylene Glycol

Glycerin to Propylene Glycol: An Introduction
Over the past couple of decades, fatty acid methyl esters derived from vegetable oil and animal fat have assumed importance as a potential diesel fuel extender known as "biodiesel." Worldwide production is approaching a billion gallons per year. The production of biodiesel utilizes surplus vegetable oils, fats and waste restaurant greases while reducing the US dependence on foreign crude oil. Biodiesel is a renewable, alternative fuel that reduces particulate matter and hydrocarbon emissions. For every 9 kilograms of biodiesel produced, about 1 kilogram of a crude glycerin by-product is formed; and today, biodiesel production plants are in need of methods to realize increased income from this glycerin. (full article -.pdf)

"Low-pressure hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol" This paper, by Dr. Sutterlin, Dr. Suppes and two other colleagues, was recently published in Applied Catalysis A: General. For more information or to view this paper, please click here.