Current and Future Trends for Crude Glycerol Upgrading to High Value-Added Products

Crude glycerol is the main byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing from oleaginous crops and other biomass-derived oils. Approximately 10% crude produced with every batch biodiesel. Worldwide, there a glut price it has decreased considerably. There are real opportunities for valorizing into higher value-added chemicals which can improve economic viability production as an alternative fuel. Exploring new potential applications in various sectors needed such pharmaceuticals, food beverages, cosmetics, transportation However, directly often contains impurities that hinder its direct industrial usage thus, refining process typically expensive. Hence, this review reports on current upgrading technologies—thermo-, bio-, physico-, electrochemical approaches—that valorize chemicals. Through comparison between those viable techniques, future research directions, challenges, advantages/disadvantage technologies described. Electrochemical technology, still underdeveloped field, highlighted, due to simplicity, low maintenance cost, working ambient condition, shows promising be applied major technique.