EFFECTS OF THE NATURE OF DILUTING AGENTS ON THERMOCONVERSION OF METHYLIC OLEATE

Rapeseed methyl oleate thermoconversion has been studied with several diluents : nitrogen, wafer and hydrogen. We have studied the impact of these diluents on conversion and yields of products formed during met hyl oleate pyrolysis. The dilution rate was 10 moles of diluent per on e mole of ester. The reaction temperature was 600 degrees C and the re sidence times were 350, 500 and 600 ms. The conversion of methyl oleat e was increased by substitution of nitrogen by water or hydrogen. It a lso increased light C-1 - C-4 hydrocarbons production. High added valu e products (alphaolefins in the C-10 - C-14 cut and monounsaturated es ters in the C-6:1 - C-12:1 cut) had a yield 2 or 3 times greater with a dilution with water or hydrogen than with nitrogen.