Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Heterogeneous Catalytic Deoxygenation Of Lipids To Fuel-Like Hydrocarbons Over Improved Bimetallic Nickel Catalysts, Ryan Andrew Loe

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Diminishing petroleum reserves and environmental considerations have strengthened the demand for developing renewable fuel technologies. One alternative is deoxygenating plant oils, animal fats, and waste lipid streams to fuel-like hydrocarbons. These fuels offer a drop-in replacement to petroleum products while potentially becoming carbon neutral, satisfying both fuel and environmental concerns. This fuel is obtained through catalytic deoxygenation via either hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) or decarboxylation/ decarbonylation (deCO_x). HDO requires problematic sulfided catalysts and extreme hydrogen pressures to convert lipids to fuel-like hydrocarbons. Therefore, this work focuses on the deCO_x pathway, where hydrogen is not required for deoxygenation to take …