Conversion of fatty acids into hydrocarbon fuels based on a sodiumcarboxylate intermediate.

Abstract

In this work, it was investigated the conversion of fatty acids into hydrocarbon based on the reaction withNaOH followed by a controlled thermal decomposition. FTIR, Raman, UV–vis, XRD, TG-MS, SEM/TEM, CHN,GC–MS showed that precursors based on NaOH/oleic acid (molar ratios 0.7, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) decomposedat 550◦C to produce three fractions, i.e. liquid (5–37 wt%), gas (52–70 wt%) and solid (10–31 wt%). Theliquid fraction was composed of a complex mixture containing mainly aromatic compounds. On the otherhand, the major gas fraction showed a remarkable selectivity for propane (56–61 wt%) with some C1, C2,C4, H2and COx. The solid fraction showed the presence of Na2CO3, Na2O and particles of amorphousand graphene like carbon. Upon treatment at 800◦C the carbonate decomposes to CO2, oxidizes thecarbon and regenerated the Na2O which can potentially be used for a new reaction cycle. These resultsare preliminary discussed in terms of a catalytic effect of the basic sodium oxide to promote cracking,dehydrogenation and H-transfer reactions.