Sustainable Diesel from Pyrolysis of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Basic Soaps: The Effect of Temperature on Yield and Product Composition

The production of sustainable diesel without hydrogen addition remains a challenge for low-cost fuel production. In this work, the pyrolysis of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) basic soaps was studied for the production sustainable diesel (bio-hydrocarbons). UFAs were obtained from palm fatty acids distillate (PFAD), which was purified by the fractional crystallization method. Metal hydroxides were used to make basic soap composed of a Ca, Mg, and Zn mixture with particular composition. The pyrolysis reactions were carried out in a batch reactor at atmospheric pressure and various temperatures from 375 to 475 degrees C. The liquid products were obtained with the best yield (58.35%) at 425 degrees C and yield of diesel fraction 53.4%. The fatty acids were not detected in the pyrolysis liquid product. The gas product consisted of carbon dioxide and methane. The liquid products were a mixture of hydrocarbon with carbon chains in the range of C-7 and C-20 containing n-alkane, alkene, and iso-alkane.

Automated summary

This study successfully produced sustainable diesel through the pyrolysis of unsaturated fatty acid. By purifying palm fatty acid distillate and preparing basic soap, the optimal diesel yield was obtained. The results of this study demonstrate the efficient conversion of fatty acids into diesel.