Catalytic Decarboxylation and Aromatization of Oleic Acid over Ni/AC without an Added Hydrogen Donor

Ni/AC (nickel on active carbon) catalysts with different Ni loadings were synthesized and studied for the decarboxylation and aromatization of oleic acid in the absence of H2 or hydrogen donors. Without the use of hydrogen source, the whole deoxygenation process became more economical. Moreover, oleic acid can be saturated using the H2 derived from the production of aromatics, which were also considered as the critical component in aviation biofuels. The structure and properties of the catalysts were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption of CH3COOH and CO. The experimental and characterization results revealed that 30% Ni/AC had a higher adsorption capacity of CH3COOH among the other Ni/AC catalysts and highly dispersed and small Ni particles, providing a heptadecane yield of 40.7%. It also contained 13.8% aromatics, which fulfills the requirement of aviation fuels. This Ni/AC catalyst showed good stability even after being reused thrice.