A process is described for directly converting a high fructose feedstock to a product mixture including one or more lower polyols in which 1,2-propanediol is produced in preference to any other lower polyols, wherein a high fructose feed and a source of hydrogen are supplied to a reaction vessel and reacted in the presence of a copper-containing, supported ruthenium catalyst to provide the product mixture.

The disclosure relates to a novel glycerol purification process that produces partially refined waste glycerol for a variety of industrial applications. The disclosure encompasses a salt-containing partially refined glycerol composition that is suitable as a fermentation grade glycerol.

The disclosure relates to a novel glycerol purification process that produces partially refined waste glycerol for a variety of industrial applications. The disclosure encompasses a salt-containing partially refined glycerol composition that is suitable as a fermentation grade glycerol.

Methods and systems for suppressing coking in dehydration reactions catalyzed by solid acids. Dehydration reactions catalyzed by one or more solid acid catalysts can be performed in the presence of a super critical carbon dioxide medium which prevents or minimizes coking of the solid acid catalysts. Methods and systems are provided for producing glycerol products, such as acrolein, acrylic acid, acetol, by performing a dehydration reaction of glycerol using one or more solid acid catalysts in the presence of a super critical carbon dioxide reaction medium. Such methods and systems can be nm for extended periods of time, or continuously, due to catalyst regeneration and/or recycling. Such methods and systems are configured to produce glycerol products from crude glycerol feedstock with minimal pretreatment.

Methods and systems for suppressing coking in dehydration reactions catalyzed by solid acids. Dehydration reactions catalyzed by one or more solid acid catalysts can be performed in the presence of a super critical carbon dioxide medium which prevents or minimizes coking of the solid acid catalysts. Methods and systems are provided for producing glycerol products, such as acrolein, acrylic acid, acetol, by performing a dehydration reaction of glycerol using one or more solid acid catalysts in the presence of a super critical carbon dioxide reaction medium. Such methods and systems can be nm for extended periods of time, or continuously, due to catalyst regeneration and/or recycling. Such methods and systems are configured to produce glycerol products from crude glycerol feedstock with minimal pretreatment.

Disclosed herein are a catalyst and method useful in the process of converting sugars to acrylonitrile.

Disclosed herein are a catalyst and method useful in the process of converting sugars to acrylonitrile.

A process including the steps of: providing a glycerol rich-fraction as carbon source to a fermentation medium; fermenting the fermentation medium by means of a microorganism capable of producing propionic acid in the presence of a caustic salt to provide a fermentation broth including a propionic acid salt; and recovering propionic acid salt from the fermentation broth, wherein the glycerol rich-fraction is derived from a process including the steps of: subjecting the glycerol fraction to an evaporative crystallization step to form a distillate fraction including water, and a residue fraction including glycerol and solid salts; and subjecting the residue fraction to a salt removal step, resulting in a salt fraction and a glycerol-rich fraction. The process allows the manufacture of a propionic acid salt using a glycerol-rich carbon source without problems in down-stream processing, and without need for cost-intensive purification steps for the glycerol.

A process including the steps of: providing a glycerol rich-fraction as carbon source to a fermentation medium; fermenting the fermentation medium by means of a microorganism capable of producing propionic acid in the presence of a caustic salt to provide a fermentation broth including a propionic acid salt; and recovering propionic acid salt from the fermentation broth, wherein the glycerol rich-fraction is derived from a process including the steps of: subjecting the glycerol fraction to an evaporative crystallization step to form a distillate fraction including water, and a residue fraction including glycerol and solid salts; and subjecting the residue fraction to a salt removal step, resulting in a salt fraction and a glycerol-rich fraction. The process allows the manufacture of a propionic acid salt using a glycerol-rich carbon source without problems in down-stream processing, and without need for cost-intensive purification steps for the glycerol.

The present disclosure relates generally to ceramic materials suitable for use as catalyst support materials, catalysts using such materials and methods for using them, such as methods for converting sugars, sugar alcohols, glycerol, and bio-renewable organic acids to commercially-valuable chemicals and intermediates. One aspect of the invention is a ceramic material including zirconium oxide and one or more metal oxides selected from nickel oxide, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, iron oxide and zinc oxide, the ceramic material being at least about 50 wt. % zirconium oxide. In certain embodiments, the ceramic material is substantially free of any binder, extrusion aid or additional stabilizing agent.