Influence of various catalyst poisons and other impurities on fatty acid hydrogenation

Abstract The effect of various impurities which reduce the activity of nickel catalysts during fatty acid hydrogenation has been studied. It is here proposed to divide the compounds which negatively influence the nickel‐based fatty acid hydrogenation process into three categories, namely, catalyst poisons, inhibitors and deactivators, each group acting according to a different mechanis. The deleterious effect of typical catalyst poisons, such as S, N, P or Cl, is more or less independent of the chemical nature of the individual organic compounds containing these elements. There is good correlation between these element contents and the required nickel catalyst loading level. Other typical impurities present in technical fatty acids, such as oxidized fatty acids, soaps and water, also diminish the catalyst activity considerably. A number of experiments were designed to study the influence of various pretreatments of fatty acids on the catalyst loading levels needed for hydrogenation. In view of the high cost of nickel catalysts, considerable savings can be obtained by pretreatment of fatty acids prior to hydrogenation. Such pretreatment steps may include sulfuric acid washing, application of spent catalysts, and/or distillation. The most economical method will depend on local circumstances.