Production of an alternative fuel bioadditive glycerin carbonate by a green catalytic membrane and investigation of fuel properties

Glycerin carbonate (GLC), a fuel bio-additive, was produced from glycerin using a functional composite catalytic membrane. The Zeolite-containing catalytic membrane (PVA/CL/KOH) consists of potassium hydroxide as a catalyst, clinoptilolite as a zeolite support, and polyvinyl alcohol as a polymer matrix. FTIR, TGA, and SEM analyses were used to examine changes in the catalytic membrane's chemical structure, thermal stability, and morphology after addition of clinoptilolite and potassium hydroxide. The total surface area and pore-size distribution of the clinoptilolite sample were determined by BET analysis. The influence of parameters such as reaction temperature, catalyst amount, initial molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate to glycerin (M), and reaction time was investigated in batch reactors. A maximum reaction yield of 72.81% was achieved under reaction conditions of 85 °C, a catalyst ratio of 11.25%, a molar ratio of M = 4:1, and a reaction time of 2 h. Reusability tests showed an increase in GLC yield on the second use. An 11.3% loss of activity was observed by the fourth use. Additionally, to investigate fuel properties, GLC was blended with biodiesel at 1, 3, and 5 wt%, and density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, higher heating value, and cold filter plugging point were measured. The flash point of the fuel has been improved. GLC is a promising candidate for improving storage and transportation safety and environmental performance. • PVA/CL/KOH composite catalytic membrane was prepared and characterized. • PVA/CL/KOH composite catalytic membrane was used in glycerin carbonate synthesis. • A Maximum of 72.81% glycerin carbonate yield was obtained from batch reactions. • Glycerol carbonate is a green fuel additive. • This study contributes to fuel storage and transportation safety.