CATALYTIC SYNTHESIS OF LACTATE SALTS FROM WASTE GLYCEROL

Under Phase I USDA SBIR support, Catapower will accomplish the following five objectives:Demonstrate a 10 kg scale catalytic process. Proof-of-principle trials were previously conducted at the 1 kg scale, where both the physical phenomena and the equipment are fundamentally different than they will be at manufacturing-scale deployment. We must also be able to refine the crude product at the same scale to meet customer specifications. The key question supporting this objective is:What types of reactor configurations (e.g., immobilized catalyst in a plug flow reactor, continuous stirred tank, etc.) enable scalable achievement of the same high yields and selectivities observed in laboratory trials?What methods enable removal of trace organics from lactates to reach typical customer requirements?Capture and characterize the hydrogen coproduct. Although the economic viability of Catapower's technology does not depend on monetizing the coproduced hydrogen, we acknowledge that it represents an additional valuable resource - either as a saleable product or as fuel for on-site heating. Key questions supporting this objective are:What process controls should be implemented to allow safe capture of the hydrogen coproduct?What is the composition of this crude gas stream, and what components (if any) will need to be removed before its use or sale?Pursue customer relationships by advancing supplier status. In accomplishing the objectives above, Catapower must also ensure that customers are available to purchase a product that meets their needs. Doing so requires continuing to deepen our understanding of the following questions:What application-specific requirements do potential customers have for lactate products?How may Catapower advance the process of qualifying as a supplier for lactate distributors (i.e.: potential customers)?