Joint project

Part 1: Process for the homogeneous hydrogenation and decarboxylation of oils and fats on a laboratory scale (LIKAT)

Part 2: Determination of fuel properties and engine tests (LKV)

Description

Due to the fundamental limitations of fossil fuels, it is necessary to develop substitutes from renewable resources. Plant fats and oils are a promising source due to their high energy content. However, as fats and oils do not have sufficient fuel properties, their chemical structure must be modified for use in modern engines. Several chemical reaction steps, such as ester cleavage, cracking, hydrogenation and decarboxylation, are necessary to produce paraffinic components from fats and oils. A corresponding large-scale process is practised by the Finnish company Neste Oil.

The aim of the project is to find an alternative way of producing hydrogenated vegetable oils using homogeneous catalytic reactions and to generate paraffinic fuels with high utility value. The necessary reactions should be carried out at low temperatures and low pressures compared to the process used by Neste Oil (Finland). Short-term tests on the engine test bench are planned to evaluate the engine properties of the fuel components and fuels produced from fats and oils by the project partner LIKAT. The focus of the engine tests is on optimising the combustion process with HVO fuel.