Decomposition of Glycerol to High Calorific Gas Catalyzed by Iron Ore

Abstract

Glycerol decomposition over iron ore was studied. Main products were carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane although equilibrium calculation showed methane concentration should be less than 1%. Low heat value of product gas was 16 MJ/m³. Iron ore after decomposition reaction was reduced from hematite to magnetite. Iron ore with larger iron content gave higher gas yield. On the other hand, surface area of iron ore before reaction might have no relationship with catalytic activity. Residence time study revealed that all products were produced from glycerol directly. Thus, it was suggested that major reaction was C₃H₈O₃ → 2CO+CH₄+H₂+H₂O.