2026-09-21T23:34:09Z https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/130139 2026-02-10 col_2142_5131 col_2142_11615 com_2142_5130 com_2142_9130 com_2142_8903

application/pdf en text Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2027-08-01 The student, Rachel Gaines, accepted the attached license on 2025-07-02 at 09:35. The student, Rachel Gaines, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2025-07-02 at 09:47. This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2025-07-10 at 16:38. DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #22399 on 2025-10-25 at 15:52:56 Flow electrooxidation of glycerol for industrial-scale applications Gaines, Rachel Naomi 2025-07-10 Kenis, Paul JA Kenis, Paul JA Stillwell, Ashlynn S Schoetz, Theresa Rodriguez-Lopez, Joaquin Glycerol Methanol Crude Glycerol Waste Glycerol Reaction Engineering Chemical Engineering Oxidation Chemical Manufacturing Electrocatalysis Catalysis Electrolysis Electrooxidation Waste Management Waste Valorization Electrification Process Intensification Flow Electrolysis Flow Electrolyzer Membrane Electrode Assembly Mea Industrial Manufacturing Paired Electrolysis Co-electrolysis Co-conversion Co2 Reduction Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction Complex Waste Streams Durability Degradation Process Heat Hydrogen Evolution Reactor Engineering Process Design Technoeconomic Analysis Life Cycle Assessment Scale-up eng Disposal of waste from manufacturing activities threatens human health, process profitability, and environmental sustainability. Purification and/or valorization of this waste addresses all three of these critical challenges. Electrocatalysis is a promising method for purification and valorization of waste, as it is compatible with renewable electricity and can produce two different products (one from the oxidation reaction and one from the reduction reaction) for the same energy input. In this dissertation, I focus on a specific type of carbonaceous waste – glycerol. Glycerol is a byproduct of biodiesel production, and its electrocatalytic valorization can enhance the financial and environmental sustainability of biodiesel manufacturing. I evaluate the valorization of waste glycerol through three objectives: (1) Can glycerol electrocatalysis be scaled from batch to flow systems, to improve translatability into industrial manufacturing facilities? (Chapters 2-3) (2) Can industrially-sourced waste glycerol be effectively valorized in flow systems? (Chapters 4-5) (3) Can electrocatalysis of waste glycerol be paired with another waste stream to generate additional valuable chemicals? (Chapter 6) I address these questions by using flow electrolyzers, multivariate optimization protocols, and a comprehensive analysis of catalyst materials, feed compositions, and operating regimes. My results demonstrate optimal conditions for reaction selectivity and activity; key catalysts and operating conditions for reaction stability and economic viability; and requisite operating conditions for multi-waste valorizability. These results lay the foundation for economically-viable scale-up of waste glycerol electrocatalysis. More broadly, they demonstrate a cohesive evaluation of the opportunities present in valorization of complex waste streams. 2025-08 Text https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130139 Copyright 2025 Rachel N. Gaines Chemical & Biomolecular Engr Chemical Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Ph.D. Dissertation