Start-up of the experimental setup for the hydrogenation reaction of levulinic acid to γ-Valerolactone over a Pd-doped ion-exchange resin

Abstract

The conversion of organic matter into value-added products is a field of research that has gained importance in recent years, due to the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Lignocellulose is the most abundant biological renewable resource on Earth. The Biofine Process can transform carbohydrate feedstock from lignocellulose into platform chemical products such as levulinic acid, furfural and formic acid. Gamma-valerolactone, a fuel additive and precursor of many value-added compounds, can be obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid. The start-up of the installation available in the laboratory has been made in order to be able to perform the hydrogenation reaction of levulinic acid catalyzed by a bifunctional cation exchange resin doped with palladium. The analysis system has been developed and calibrated, and Standard Operating Procedures have been developed to carry out the studied reaction