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.