Flow electrooxidation of glycerol for industrial-scale applications

Disposal of waste from manufacturing activities threatens human health, process profitability, and environmental sustainability. Purification and/or valorization of this waste addresses all three of these critical challenges. Electrocatalysis is a promising method for purification and valorization of waste, as it is compatible with renewable electricity and can produce two different products (one from the oxidation reaction and one from the reduction reaction) for the same energy input. In this dissertation, I focus on a specific type of carbonaceous waste – glycerol. Glycerol is a byproduct of biodiesel production, and its electrocatalytic valorization can enhance the financial and environmental sustainability of biodiesel manufacturing. I evaluate the valorization of waste glycerol through three objectives: (1) Can glycerol electrocatalysis be scaled from batch to flow systems, to improve translatability into industrial manufacturing facilities? (Chapters 2-3) (2) Can industrially-sourced waste glycerol be effectively valorized in flow systems? (Chapters 4-5) (3) Can electrocatalysis of waste glycerol be paired with another waste stream to generate additional valuable chemicals? (Chapter 6) I address these questions by using flow electrolyzers, multivariate optimization protocols, and a comprehensive analysis of catalyst materials, feed compositions, and operating regimes. My results demonstrate optimal conditions for reaction selectivity and activity; key catalysts and operating conditions for reaction stability and economic viability; and requisite operating conditions for multi-waste valorizability. These results lay the foundation for economically-viable scale-up of waste glycerol electrocatalysis. More broadly, they demonstrate a cohesive evaluation of the opportunities present in valorization of complex waste streams.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Gaines, Rachel Naomi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kenis, Paul JA
• Stillwell, Ashlynn S
• Schoetz, Theresa
• Rodriguez-Lopez, Joaquin

• Glycerol
• Methanol
• Crude Glycerol
• Waste Glycerol
• Reaction Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Oxidation
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Electrocatalysis
• Catalysis
• Electrolysis
• Electrooxidation
• Waste Management
• Waste Valorization
• Electrification
• Process Intensification
• Flow Electrolysis
• Flow Electrolyzer
• Membrane Electrode Assembly
• Mea
• Industrial Manufacturing
• Paired Electrolysis
• Co-electrolysis
• Co-conversion
• Co2 Reduction
• Carbon Dioxide
• Electroreduction
• Complex Waste Streams
• Durability
• Degradation
• Process Heat
• Hydrogen Evolution
• Reactor Engineering
• Process Design
• Technoeconomic Analysis
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Scale-up

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Rachel N. Gaines

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130139

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F130139