Trisaturates in the hydrogenation of canola oil with a commercial nickel catalyst

Refined and bleached Canola oil was hydrogenated with Pricat 9906 catalyst to an iodine value of 65 using various temperatures, pressures and catalyst concentrations. Hydrogenation with this catalyst resulted in great differences in SFI curves of fats with the same IV. Hydrogenation rate, dropping point, trisaturate content and linoleate selectivity were determined. All of the oils hydrogenated to IV 65 contained almost the same amount of solid fat at 20 C. For this reason, the crystal structure of the fats was examined by X‐ray diffraction at 20 C. The catalyst was found to be non‐selective. Increased selectivity can be obtained by careful temperature and pressure control. Reactivity also is temperature and pressure dependent. High trisaturate content increased instability by promoting formation of β crystals. The catalyst had excellent filterability characteristics.