Production of hydrocarbons by catalytic cracking of stearic acid under atmospheric pressure for petrochemical replacement

Catalytic cracking of stearic acid (FFA) was carried out at atmospheric pressure to obtain short chain hydrocarbons for petrochemical replacement using alumina, sodium carbonate and hydrated magnesium carbonate (HMC) as a catalyst. All the three catalysts not only reduced the temperature but also the time required for cracking from 500 to 340 degrees C and 5 to 1:45 hours respectively. Cracking adopted the similar mechanism carried out in previous studies proven by the presence of n-alkane, alkene and carboxylic acid series with small amounts of aldehydes and ketones identified through Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy analysis. HMC was found a better catalyst regarding hydrocarbon formation produced 60.607 mole percent hydrocarbons at 350 degrees C using 10:1 (w/w) acid to catalyst mass ratio. HMC formed all hydrocarbons from C12-C17 in lesser cracking time 1:45 hours.