PURPOSE: To obtain a fatty alcohol in a high yield by subjecting a fatty acid methyl ester mixture having short chain and long chain fatty acid groups to catalytic hydrogenation by using high-activity catalysts essentially consisting of copper chromite, thereby simultaneously hydrogenating the short chains and long chains.
CONSTITUTION: The fatty acid methyl ester mixture having 8 to 22C short chain and long chain fatty acid groups is continuously brought into reaction with hydrogen under 100 to 300 bar and at 160 to 270°C in such a manner that the hydrogen and the fatty acid group attain a molar ratio of 10 to 500:1, by which the fatty alcohol is obtd. The high-activity selective activity sustaining catalysts in the form of particles or granules essentially consisting of the copper chromite are used in the reaction. The catalysts contain 32 to 38 wt.% Cu, 26 to 29% Cr, 1 to 6% Mn, 1.5 to 3% Ba, 1.5 to 3% Si and/or 2 to 3% Ce and are converted to molded particles by using 1 to 10% graphite and 1 to 10% binder after calcination.
YOAHIMU POORU
FURANTSUUYOOZEFU KARUDOUTSUKU
