In-situ hydrogen generation from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene for catalytic conversion of oleic acid to diesel fuel hydrocarbons: Parametric studies using Response Surface Methodology approach

Kin Wai Cheah, Suzana Yusup, Georgios Kyriakou, Mariam Ameen, Martin J. Taylor, Daniel J. Nowakowski, Anthony V. Bridgwater, Yoshimitsu Uemura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This work reported a new strategy in producing synthetic diesel hydrocarbons from a mono-unsaturated fatty acid model compound, oleic acid and replacing high pressure molecular hydrogen with a hydrogen-rich donor solvent, 1,2,3,4–tetrahydronaphthalene for the first time. Under the absence of an external H2 supply, oleic acid was dispersed in 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and hydrotreated over commercially available 5 wt% Pd/C in a fed-batch reactor to obtain diesel range fuel products. A maximum oleic acid conversion of 92.4% and highest diesel hydrocarbon selectivity of 67.4% were achieved at 330 °C with a solvent to fatty acid mass ratio of 1 for 3 h under autogenous pressure. In-situ H2 produced from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene operated as an effective hydrogen donor vehicle that continuously transported active hydrogen species from gas phase to reactant acid molecules and radical fragments. It minimized polymerization of reaction intermediate and suppressed coke formation, which subsequently improved catalyst resistance toward deactivation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20678-20689
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume44
Issue number37
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Aug 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

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© 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC

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