The synthesis of 1, 2-propanediol by selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol over the Cu-H4SiW12O40/γ-Al2O3 catalysts in a fixed-bed reactor was investigation. It was found that lower liquid hourly space velocity may promote the glycerol conversion but reduce the selectivity of 1, 2-propanediol. The loading of H4SiW12O40 on the catalyst exhibited a significant on glycerol conversion and a maximum glycerol conversion was obtained at the H4SiW12O40 loading of 5%. NH3-TPD and H2-TPR suggested that Cu-H4SiW12O40/γ-Al2O3 acted as a bi-functional catalyst in the reaction: glycerol dehydration to dehydrated intermediates over H4SiW12O40/γ-Al2O3 and the following hydrogenation over Cu.