The present invention is directed to processes for the direct conversion
of lipidic biomass fuelstock to combustible fuels. In particular, the
invention provides a process for the direct conversion of animal fats to
transportations fuels suitable as replacement for petroleum-derived
transportation fuels. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps
of hydrolyzing a lipidic biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically
deoxygenating the free fatty acids to form n-alkanes, and reforming at
least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds in the
correct chain length, conformations, and ratio to be useful
transportation fuels. Particularly, the product prepared according to the
invention comprises mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds selected from the
group consisting of n-alkanes, isoalkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and
combinations thereof.