Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Reactors to Produce Low Trans Fat Oils

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II program will advance the use of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) reactors to produce hydrogenated edible vegetable oils with low trans fatty acid (TFA) content. Successful completion of this program could lead to reduced incidence of coronary heart disease as a consequence of the availability of healthy, low-cost hydrogenated oils. The technology is based on a recent demonstration by Pintauro and coworkers of a new electrochemical process that substantially reduces the amount of TFA formed during oil hydrogenation. In this program, T/J Technologies, Inc. will further develop innovative electrocatalysts and membrane electrode assemblies to increase the hydrogenation rate and selectivity, and improve the durability of state-of-the-art reactors. These advances will increase the hydrogenation efficiency, limit total saturated fat content, and bring the cost of electrochemical hydrogenation into line with conventional processes. The Phase II program will also focus on larger scale system design and optimization to demonstrate the commercial viability of this technology. During the Phase III effort, system demonstration and scale-up will be carried out to advance development and demonstrate economic. The direct product from the program will be electrocatalysts and membrane electrode assemblies designed for oil hydrogenation, and process licenses to use this technology. The customers will be edible oil process equipment and catalyst manufacturers, and food processing companies.