Processes for fatty acid ketonization and alcohol dehydration, wherein an alumina catalyst disposed in, or removed from, a reaction zone may be regenerated by contacting the catalyst with steam during or after a coke oxidizing step. In an embodiment, such processes may provide C2-C43 alkenes. In another embodiment, such processes may provide C11-C43 ketones, which can be deoxygenated to give saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. Base oils and transportation fuels may be produced via such processes.