The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 17 No 1 (2013): 129 – 138

 

 

 

DEOXYGENATION OF PLANT FATTY ACID USING NiSnK/SiO₂ AS CATALYST

 

(Penyahoksigenan Asid Lemak Tumbuhan Dengan Menggunakan NiSnK/SiO₂

Sebagai Pemangkin Komposit)

 

L. T. Chiam and C. T. Tye*

 

School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus,

Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: chcttye@eng.usm.my

 

 

Abstract

Environmental friendly bio-oil which offers supply reliability as a potential alternative fuel, has spurred to rapid development of biofuels technology. Palm oil is a potential renewable energy source for biofuels production in the future and Malaysia is one of the world largest palm oil producers. However, undesired oxygen content in the plant fatty acid that contributes to low energy density, high viscosity, and low stability, makes the palm oil not effective to be used as biofuels directly. In the present study, the performance of silica supported trimetal catalyst, NiSnK/SiO₂, on deoxygenation of used palm oil was evaluated. In addition, the effects of operating parameters, such as reaction temperature and weight hourly space velocity were investigated. Conversion of palmitic acid as high as 90% was achieved in deoxygenation of used palm oil at reaction temperature 350^oC. In order to have a better understanding on the deoxygenation reaction, model compound system using the major saturated fatty acid in the used palm oil, palmitic acid was also carried out. Palmitic acid was found mainly decarboxylated into n-pentadecane with some decarbonylation and isomerizations products.  

 

Keywords: Deoxygenation, used palm oil, palmitic acid, NiSnK/Silica

 

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