Hydrogenation of Vegetable Oils over Pd on Nanocomposite Carbon Catalysts

Catalytic hydrogenation of vegetable oils was studied over Pd nanocomposite carbon catalysts. The mesoporous structure of the carbon support was beneficial to achieve fast hydrogenation rates and the desired cis/trans ratio of monoenic products of edible oil hydrogenation. The preparation procedure developed for a slurry catalyst was successfully utilized for fixed bed applications. Industrial experience of Pd/nanocomposite carbon utilization in selective hydrogenation of edible and total hydrogenation of nonedible oils is described.