Hydrogenation of Glucose on a Carbon-Supported Ru Catalyst: Optimization of the Reaction Conditions

MUSCI, JUAN J.; CHIOSSO, MARÍA E.; SIRI, GUILLERMO J.; CASELLA, MÓNICA L.

Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science

Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Año: 2023 vol. 13 p. 224 - 240

2160-0392

The catalytic hydrogenation of D-glucose over a 3 wt% Ru/C catalyst was studied varying the operating conditions in mild conditions range to optimize the obtention of D-sorbitol. The stirring speed, temperature, pressure, and initial glucose concentration were varied between 250 - 700 rpm, 343 - 383 K, 0.5 - 2 MPa, and 0.033 - 0.133 M, respectively. To verify the absence of mass transport limitations, the diffusion of reagents in the gas-liquid interface, the liquid-solid interface, and the internal diffusion in the particles were evaluated.Under the operating conditions studied, the reaction rate showed an order with respect to H2 of 0.586 and with respect to glucose of 0.406. The kinetic data were adjusted using 3 general models and 19 different sub-models based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) kinetics. Model 3a was the best one interpreting the aqueous phase hydrogenation of glucose (both reagents competitively adsorbed on the catalyst). The H2 adsorption is dissociative and the rate-limiting step is the surface chemical reaction.