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

Abstract

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 H 2 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 H 2 adsorption is dissociative and the rate-limiting step is the surface chemical reaction.