Abstract: A process is provided for the production of linear saturated alkanes from one or more primary alcohols, wherein the carbon chain of the one or more primary alcohols has one carbon atom more than the alkane, including conducting reductive dehydroxymethylation of one or more primary fatty alcohols containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, at a temperature ranging from 100 to 300° C. and pressures from 1 to 250 bar in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst, and removing water formed during the reaction.

Abstract: A process for carrying out heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation reactions in a fixed-bed reactor includes providing at least one main reactor containing a first amount of catalyst; providing a first auxiliary reactor and a second auxiliary reactor, each containing a second amount of catalyst, wherein the first amount of catalyst is relatively larger than the second amount of catalyst; passing a starting product of a fatty compound through the first auxiliary reactor and reacting the starting product with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst; continuing the reaction through the at least one main reactor; and continuing the reaction through the second auxiliary reactor, wherein the first auxiliary reactor is reactivated. Another process provided includes a first and second main reactor, and a first and second auxiliary reactor, where relatively pure and impure starting products of a fatty compound are processed substantially continuously by cyclic switching of the reactors.

Abstract: A process for carrying out heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation reactions in a fixed-bed reactor includes providing at least one main reactor containing a first amount of catalyst; providing a first auxiliary reactor and a second auxiliary reactor, each containing a second amount of catalyst, wherein the first amount of catalyst is relatively larger than the second amount of catalyst; passing a starting product of a fatty compound through the first auxiliary reactor and reacting the starting product with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst; continuing the reaction through the at least one main reactor; and continuing the reaction through the second auxiliary reactor, wherein the first auxiliary reactor is reactivated. Another process provided includes a first and second main reactor, and a first and second auxiliary reactor, where relatively pure and impure starting products of a fatty compound are processed substantially continuously by cyclic switching of the reactors.