OXYGENATED HYDROCARBON REFORMING

摘要

The present invention provides a method of reforming oxygenated hydrocarbons, especially glycerol, at temperatures of at least 380 C using a Group VIIIB catalyst, to yield methanol. The method provides a direct route to methanol and there is no requirement to gasify the oxygenated hydrocarbon and subsequently synthesize methanol from the synthesis gas. This represents an efficient route to methanol and provides an economically and environmentally sound way of addressing the problem of utilising glycerol formed as a by-product from biodiesel formation.