Selective Catalytic Hydrogenation of Vegetable Oils over Copper-Based Catalysts Supported on Amorphous Silica

Umberto Pasqual Laverdura, Leucio Rossi, Claire Courson, Antonio Zarli and Katia Gallucci ()
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Umberto Pasqual Laverdura: Dipartimento di Tecnologie Energetiche e Fonti Rinnovabili, ENEA Centro di ricerche Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 391, Santa Maria di Galeria, 00123 Roma, Italy
Leucio Rossi: Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio Snc, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Claire Courson: Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, Environment and Health, University of Strasbourg, ECPM, 25 Rue Becquerel, CEDEX 2, 67087 Strasbourg, France
Antonio Zarli: NextChem S.p.A., Via di Vannina, 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy
Katia Gallucci: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale E. Pontieri 1–Loc. Monteluco di Roio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-27

Abstract: This work aims to study the selective catalytic hydrogenation of vegetable oils to maximize oleic acid content and expand the range of non-edible uses. Oleic acid (C18:1) is suitable for use as a biodegradable lubricant and is a building block in producing polymers and plastics from renewable resources. The challenge is the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts, allowing for a maximum yield of C18:1 and low formation of the corresponding saturated acid (stearic acid). New copper-based catalysts on silica were synthesized via two synthesis methods: hydrolysis precipitation and ammonia-evaporation. Experimental tests were carried out at a lab scale operating in a semi-batch mode. The best conversion reached 90% for C18:3 and 80% for C18:2 HP Cu-silica catalyst results, the best candidate for an industrial case study. Good results were obtained in the selectivities of oleic acid production and cis/trans isomers ratio. The modified return on the investment of the designed hydrogenation plant provides the revenues of the capital costs in less than one year.

Keywords: selective catalytic hydrogenation; copper-based catalysts; oleic acid (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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