Catalytic deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives to hydrocarbon fuels via decarboxylation/decarbonylation

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

278 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fatty acids and their derivatives can be converted to renewable and carbon-neutral fuel-like hydrocarbons that are entirely fungible with fossil fuels. Typically, these hydrocarbon-based biofuels are obtained through hydrotreating, a method which has the significant disadvantages of requiring problematic sulfided catalysts and high pressures of hydrogen. In recent years, decarboxylation/decarbonylation has been proposed as an alternative method, as this approach has the advantages of permitting the use of simpler catalysts and requiring less hydrogen than hydrotreating. In this contribution, the deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives to fuel-like hydrocarbons via decarboxylation/decarbonylation is critically reviewed. The main aspects discussed include the influence of the feed, catalyst, reactor system and reaction conditions on the decarboxylation/decarbonylation reaction, as well as the reaction mechanism and catalyst deactivation/regeneration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1041-1050
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
Volume87
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Decarbonylation
  • Decarboxylation
  • Deoxygenation
  • Fatty acid
  • Hydrocarbon
  • Triglyceride

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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