Process optimisation of 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol for downstream speciality chemical production.

为了应对气候变化目标和增加运输燃料中生物柴油使用的要求，甘油的产量显著增加，甘油是生物柴油生产的主要副产品。正因为如此，人们对从甘油中生产增值化学品的兴趣越来越大。该项目将在小型中试规模上展示如何通过比目前工业上采用的更环保的新工艺将甘油转化为更高价值的化学原料，即2,3-环氧-1-丙醇（EP）。与目前的工业路线相比，我们新的绿色工艺提供了一项突破性的技术，消除了对苛刻和有毒化学品的需求，并从可再生原料中合成产品。EP可以以多种方式开发，包括作为聚合物生产的前体、天然油的稳定剂、固体推进剂的凝胶剂、表面涂层、药品、二氧化碳捕获溶剂、新聚合物和其他化学中间体的原料。更重要的是，它们具有重要的价值。通过为甘油提供高价值的开发途径，该项目将通过使用各种植物油和脂肪的生物柴油活动，巩固英国生物柴油的经济可持续性。

In response to climate change targets and mandates for increasing the use of biodiesel in transportation fuel, there has been a significant rise in production of glycerol, which is the main by-product of biodiesel manufacture. Due to this, there is an increased interest in the production of value-added chemicals from glycerol. This project will demonstrate, at mini pilot scale, how glycerol can be transformed into a higher-value chemical feedstocks, namely 2,3-Epoxy-1-propanol (EP), through novel greener processes than are currently employed industrially. Our new greener process offers a breakthrough technology compared with current industrial routes, removing the necessity for harsh and toxic chemicals and synthesising the product from a renewable feedstock. EP can be exploited in various ways including, as a precursor for polymer production, as a stabiliser for natural oils, a gelation agent in solid propellants, in surface coatings, pharmaceuticals , CO2 capture solvents, new polymers and as feedstocks for other chemical intermediates. More importantly they are of significant value. By providing a high-value exploitation path for glycerol this project will underpin the economic sustainability of biodiesel in the UK from its biodiesel activities using a variety of vegetable oils and fats.