Pd/Al2O3-cordierite and Pd/Al2O3-Fecralloy monolithic catalysts for the hydrogenation of sunflower oil

Monolithic catalysts were prepared using cordierite and Fecralloy as substrates, with Pd/Al2O3 catalyst deposited by a washcoating method. The samples were characterized and studied for the partial hydrogenation of sunflower oil at 373 K and 413 kPa. In comparative tests, at equal operating conditions and conversion, the structured catalysts presented a lower trans-isomers formation than the powder catalyst. After three consecutive tests, the ceramic monolith showed no change in activity or selectivity, whereas the metallic monolith showed a partial deactivation (10%), which is attributed to a loss of catalyst. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.