The partial hydrogenation of sunflower oil on a few supported Pd catalysts in supercritical (SQ dimethyl ether (DME) as reaction solvent was studied to obtain hydrogenates with low trans C 18:1 and stearic contents. The kinetics was determined on eggshell 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 and uniform 2% Pd/C catalysts using a sequential experimental design in a continuous, radial-flow, internal recycle reactor. The operating variables were temperature (456-513 K), pressure (18-23 MPa) and the space-velocity (WHSV = 41-975 h(-1)). The rotation frequency and the molar feed concentration (oil:H-2:DME) were held constant at 157 rad/s and 1:4:95 mol%, respectively. Kinetic scheme was based on that published before. Some reactor runs were simulated using mixed-flow assumption and the kinetics data for both systems with good results. A comparison was established between the eggshell 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 in DME and the data for 2% Pd/C in propane with respect to trans production and stearic formation. trans seems to be lower using 2% Pd/C in propane, while the undesired stearic formation is less on the eggshell 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst in DME. An overview is presented on the merits of the catalysts available for the SCF process in terms of linoleic selectivity and trans yield on a few vegetable fats. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.