Gas phase process for monoalcohol production from glycerol

A method for converting glycerol to monohydric alcohol, the method comprising:

• reacting a gaseous mixture comprising glycerol, water and hydrogen in a first reaction bed comprising a heterogeneous catalyst system comprising a dehydration catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst, whereby a first reacted mixture is produced, the first reaction mixture comprising propionaldehyde;
• separating at least a portion of the first reacted mixture into a more volatile fraction and a less volatile fraction in a first condenser;
• reacting a mixture of hydrogen and at least a portion of the more volatile fraction from the first reacted mixture in a second reactor bed comprising a hydrogenation catalyst, whereby a second reacted mixture comprising a monohydric alcohol is produced;
• separating at least a portion of the second reacted mixture into a less volatile fraction comprising a monohydric alcohol and a more volatile fraction in a second condenser.