The reaction network of the hydrodeoxygenation of oleic acid into n-C18 was studied using �-Mo2C/Al2O3as catalyst. The catalyst was synthesized in situ using the temperature-programmed carburization (TPC) methodology with a 20 % (v/v) CH4/H2gas mixture and 923 K/2 h as synthesis temperature. The catalytic evaluation results at 30 bar in the temperature range 320 - 360 oC have shown that contrarily to results publish in the literature showing that when sulfides are used as catalyst leading mainly to n-C17- formation, the oleic acid hydrodeoxygenation using molybdenum carbide mainly leads to n-C18 through the hydrogenation of the carboxylic group. The analysis of the product distribution at different space velocities allowed to propose a reaction network, which was validated by a mathematical model. From the model it was possible to determine the kinetic constants and activation energies for all reactions involved, thus determining the rate limiting step and explaining why there is preferential formation of C18when molybdenum carbide is used as catalyst. In order to understand how the carboxylic acid interacts with the surface of the molybdenum carbide, DRIFTS experiments using acrylic acid as model molecule were performed leading to the conclusion that the interaction occurs through the oxygen of the carboxylic group. The association of the DRIFTS results with TPSR experiments successfully allowed to propose a reaction mechanism for the hydrodeoxygenation of organic acids using �-Mo2C/Al2O3 as catalyst.

Hydrotreatment of oleic acid oil using supported molybdenum carbide

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.