Hydrothermal conversion of linoleic acid and ethanol for biofuel production

X. Besse (1) , Y. Schuurman (1) , N. Guilhaume (1)

1 ING - IRCELYON-Ingéniérie, du matériau au réacteur

The catalytic conversion of linoleic acid in ethanol/water mixtures (1:1 vol. ratio) was explored in a batch reactor using a Pt/C catalyst. Linoleic acid was converted into heptadecane with high yields (>80%) after 6h at 350 degrees C under autogenous pressure. The reaction proceeded through consecutive steps: linoleic acid -> stearic acid -> ethyl stearate -> heptadecane. Hydrogen was generated in-situ by oxidation of ethanol into acetaldehyde. A moderate sintering of platinum was evidenced after hydrothermal reaction. A reaction network based on products distribution and kinetic studies was proposed. It was found that the hydrogenation route proceeds via the free acids whereas the hydrogenation of the ethyl esters was negligible. The formation of heptadecane, on the other hand, proceeded via ethyl stearate and not via stearic acid. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Domaines: Catalyse; Environnement et Société

X. Besse, Y. Schuurman, N. Guilhaume. Hydrothermal conversion of linoleic acid and ethanol for biofuel production. Applied Catalysis A : General, 2016, 524, pp.139-148. ⟨10.1016/j.apcata.2016.06.030⟩. ⟨hal-01382697⟩