Effect of Process Conditions on Oleic Acid Hydrotreating in a Novel Micropost Plate Reactor

In hydroprocessing of vegetable oils to diesel range products, conversion of triglycerides to free fatty acids is fast compared to free fatty acids to diesel range products. Oleic acid was used as model compound, to study the effect of operating conditions on reaction products in a previously developed novel micro post plate reactor.  Temperature, Pressure and residence time was studied. Temperature range was 275-325^oC, pressure range 200-500psig and residence time 120-180 seconds.  Increase in temperature, pressure and residence time favored production of n-alkane target products and oleic acid conversion. Reduction in temperature, pressure and residence time favored production of intermediate oxygenates products and low oleic acid conversion.