570
pilot/demonstration stage runs, and commercial-scale plants are under planning
[32–35]. Once renewable methanol is available on commercial scale, MTO and
MTP processes could, in the near future, become viable low-carbon alternatives to
the olefins production by conventional steam cracking process. Similar developments could be envisaged for MTG and ETG processes as well, with the emphasis
on improving the stability of the catalysts. 1,3-Butadiene from ethanol is another
process with high promise, wherein the productivity rate is to be improved.
ASTM approval for the blending of bio-jet fuels produced by catalytic conversion of alcohols/other renewables (Lanza-PNNL and other processes) is a significant milestone in the area of biofuels. This development is expected to help the
aviation industry in realizing the objective of reducing emissions by 50% (with
respect to 2005 emission levels) by 2050, by substituting fossil-derived jet fuels
with low-carbon bio-based fuels.
Alcohols have proven to be one of the most important sources for fuels and
chemicals. Recent developments, as exemplified in this chapter, underpin the pivotal role that the catalytic transformations of alcohols could play, in building lowcarbon sustainable society. Developments in large-scale production of renewable
hydrogen from water, via photovoltaic-powered electrolysis, could greatly contribute towards improving the sustainability of processes based on alcohols. Such a
ALCOHOLS
CONVERSION PROCESSES &
PRODUCTS
Aldehydes
Ketones
Olefins
Esters
Biodiesel
Fuels
Ethers
Olefins
Aromatics
Gasoline
Higher
Alcohols,
Aldehydes
Fuel
Additives
Polymers
Resins
Jet fuels
Middle
Distillates
Renewable
Hydrogen
Alkanes
C 4+
Alcohols,
Fuels
Olefins
Dienes
Alkylated
Ketones,
Aldehydes
Amines
Acids,
Diols
Polyols
DEHN
DHYN
ESTR
TEST
ETER
OLIG
AROM
HYDF
HOMN
OLIG
POLM
OXDN
HYDG
ALKN
ACTL
APRG
STRG
ALDL
MPV
DHYN
OLIG
HYDN
Fig. 37 Conversion processes and products from alcohols. DEHN/DHYN dehydrogenation/dehydration, ESTR/TEST esterification/trans-esterification, ETER/OLIG/AROM etherification/oligomerization/aromatization, COPL/HOMN coupling/homologation with CO, OLIG/POLM
oligomerization/polymerization, DHYN-OLIG-HYDN dehydration-oligomerization-hydrogenation, ALDL/MPV aldolization Meewrwein Pondorrf Varley reaction, APRG/STRG aqueous phase
reforming/steam reforming, ALKN/NALK alkylation/N-alkylation, OXDN/HYDG oxidation/
hydrogenolysis
R. Vinayagamoorthi et al.
pilot/demonstration stage runs, and commercial-scale plants are under planning
[32–35]. Once renewable methanol is available on commercial scale, MTO and
MTP processes could, in the near future, become viable low-carbon alternatives to
the olefins production by conventional steam cracking process. Similar developments could be envisaged for MTG and ETG processes as well, with the emphasis
on improving the stability of the catalysts. 1,3-Butadiene from ethanol is another
process with high promise, wherein the productivity rate is to be improved.
ASTM approval for the blending of bio-jet fuels produced by catalytic conversion of alcohols/other renewables (Lanza-PNNL and other processes) is a significant milestone in the area of biofuels. This development is expected to help the
aviation industry in realizing the objective of reducing emissions by 50% (with
respect to 2005 emission levels) by 2050, by substituting fossil-derived jet fuels
with low-carbon bio-based fuels.
Alcohols have proven to be one of the most important sources for fuels and
chemicals. Recent developments, as exemplified in this chapter, underpin the pivotal role that the catalytic transformations of alcohols could play, in building lowcarbon sustainable society. Developments in large-scale production of renewable
hydrogen from water, via photovoltaic-powered electrolysis, could greatly contribute towards improving the sustainability of processes based on alcohols. Such a
ALCOHOLS
CONVERSION PROCESSES &
PRODUCTS
Aldehydes
Ketones
Olefins
Esters
Biodiesel
Fuels
Ethers
Olefins
Aromatics
Gasoline
Higher
Alcohols,
Aldehydes
Fuel
Additives
Polymers
Resins
Jet fuels
Middle
Distillates
Renewable
Hydrogen
Alkanes
C 4+
Alcohols,
Fuels
Olefins
Dienes
Alkylated
Ketones,
Aldehydes
Amines
Acids,
Diols
Polyols
DEHN
DHYN
ESTR
TEST
ETER
OLIG
AROM
HYDF
HOMN
OLIG
POLM
OXDN
HYDG
ALKN
ACTL
APRG
STRG
ALDL
MPV
DHYN
OLIG
HYDN
Fig. 37 Conversion processes and products from alcohols. DEHN/DHYN dehydrogenation/dehydration, ESTR/TEST esterification/trans-esterification, ETER/OLIG/AROM etherification/oligomerization/aromatization, COPL/HOMN coupling/homologation with CO, OLIG/POLM
oligomerization/polymerization, DHYN-OLIG-HYDN dehydration-oligomerization-hydrogenation, ALDL/MPV aldolization Meewrwein Pondorrf Varley reaction, APRG/STRG aqueous phase
reforming/steam reforming, ALKN/NALK alkylation/N-alkylation, OXDN/HYDG oxidation/
hydrogenolysis
R. Vinayagamoorthi et al.