Continuous production of glycerol by catalytic high pressure hydrogenolysis of sucrose

Several continuous reactor systems have been discussed for the catalytic high pressure hydrogenolysis of sucrose to glycerol. Theoretically and actually, continuous reactors lead to lower glycerol yields than in a batch process. Two continuous stirred tank reactors in cascade constitute a reasonable compromise. An economic evaluation of the sucrose route to glycerol in comparison with other synthetic glycerol processes based on allyl chloride and acrolein suggests that the sucrose process can be competitive if a sales potential is developed for the by-products propane-l,2-diol, ethylene glycol, and a mixture of higher polyhydric alcohols containing tetritol, pentitol, methyl fructoside, and hexitol