Abstract This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility to produce tert-butyl ethers of glycerol in Colombia using glycerol obtained from biodiesel production. The major drawback of this process is related to the high costs associated to the isobutylene reagent used for this reaction. Three possible scenarios, using isobutylene: glycerol molar ratios of 2:1 and 4:1, have been evaluated by simulation and techno-economical assessment using pure isobutylene, C4 fraction and a mixture of C4 and isobutylene as well as a refining stage for crude glycerol. The desired product, a mixture of di- and tri- ethers of glycerol (h-GTBE) was obtained in high amounts for the three scenarios (92–99 wt.%) and a direct relation between production cost and raw material cost was established. The prices for h-GTBE were higher than the proposed selling prices; however, the formation of byproduct (C4 fraction) can make the process competitive. h-GTBE production did not have a competitive price for any scenario at high isobutylene: glycerol molar ratio. The production price was lowered by around 20% for all scenarios when crude glycerol was considered. Finally, competitive price of h-GTBE (0.96 $/kg) and NPV positive was obtained using a mixture of C4 and isobutylene and crude glycerol.

中文翻译：

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通过异丁烯醚化重新评估粗甘油：工艺设计和技术经济评估

摘要 本研究评估了在哥伦比亚使用从生物柴油生产中获得的甘油生产甘油叔丁基醚的技术经济可行性。该方法的主要缺点是与用于该反应的异丁烯试剂相关的高成本有关。三种可能的情况，使用 2:1 和 4:1 的异丁烯：甘油摩尔比，已经通过模拟和技术经济评估使用纯异丁烯、C4 馏分和 C4 和异丁烯的混合物以及原油精炼阶段进行了评估甘油。在三种情况下（92–99 wt.%）大量获得了所需的产品，即甘油二醚和三醚混合物 (h-GTBE)，并建立了生产成本和原材料成本之间的直接关系. h-GTBE 的价格高于建议的售价；然而，副产品（C4 馏分）的形成会使该过程具有竞争力。在高异丁烯：甘油摩尔比的任何情况下，h-GTBE 生产都没有具有竞争力的价格。当考虑粗甘油时，所有情景的生产价格都降低了约 20%。最后，使用 C4 和异丁烯和粗甘油的混合物获得了具有竞争力的 h-GTBE (0.96 $/kg) 和 NPV 阳性。