Effects of reaction parameters on the deoxygenation of soybean oil for the sustainable production of hydrocarbons

Hydrotreating of vegetable oils offers a green alternative to oil-derived fuels and raw hydrocarbon materials, usually obtained from oil. In contrast to sulfided catalysts, which contaminate the product with sulfur, carbide-based catalysts are able to produce clean hydrocarbons. A NiMo carbide-based catalyst, supported on nanometric gamma-alumina was prepared, characterized by X-ray crystallography, Nitrogen physisorption, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The oxidation temperatures and acidity were also determined. Tests were performed in a batch-type reactor for the hydrotreatment of soybean oil at 360, 380, and 400 degrees C and 4.5 MPa. Liquid samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with a mass spectra detector. The reaction rate was calculated showing that reactant concentration did not influence deoxygenation rates, nor did the catalyst revealed a significant change in the activity. The product composition was extensively characterized, proving that reaction temperature greatly influences the concentration of aromatic, unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons, as well as chain size distributions.