Green diesel production from palm fatty acid distillate over SBA-15-supported nickel, cobalt, and nickel/cobalt catalysts

Abstract

The utilization of non-edible and low-cost feedstock in bioenergy research is getting more attention in recent decades. Catalytic deoxygenation of fatty acids from waste oil feedstocks is a promising route to produce diesel-like hydrocarbons. Here we report the conversion of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), a low-value side product of physical refining of crude palm oil, into green diesel using a solventless and hydrogen-free deoxygenation (DO) reaction using catalytic deoxygenation over solid acid catalysts (Co/SBA-15, Ni/SBA-15, and Ni-Co/SBA-15) with total metal loadings of 5 wt%. Metal precursors (Ni, Co, Ni-Co) were doped on the mesostructured catalyst supporter, SBA-15 by wet impregnation. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, and highresolution transmission electron microscopy with elemental mapping. The DO reaction was carried out in a semi-batch reactor with a catalyst loading of 10 wt% at 350 °C for 3 h. The use of both Ni/SBA-15 and Ni-Co/SBA-15 afforded products with high contents of liquid hydrocarbons (C8-C17) with yields of 85.8% and 88.1%, respectively, and selectivity for diesel-range hydrocarbons (C13-C17) above 85% were achieved. Cobalt seems to have a larger particle size, then associates with the carbon formation and introduces coke formation. It blocks some pores and deactivates the active sites of the catalyst, thus reducing the catalytic activity.

Development of bimetallic nickel-based catalysts supported on activated carbon for green fuel production

“…5,6 However, biodiesel has its drawbacks such as higher viscosity, rich oxygen content, high unsaturated acid content and low volatility. 7,8 Higher oxygen contents cause severe engine problems like carbon deposit and lubricant thickening. 9 Hence, there is a strong need to nd other alternatives that have similar properties to petroleum fuel to replace transesterication technology such as the deoxygenation reaction for green diesel production.…”

Hydrocarbon Production from Catalytic Pyrolysis-GC/MS of Sacha Inchi Residues Using SBA-15 Derived from Coal Fly Ash

“…The incorporation of SBA-15 catalysts significantly increased the selectivity of aliphatic hydrocarbon at SI:SBA-15 ratios of 1:1 and 1:5. In the case of linear hydrocarbon, the formation of alkenes was preferred over that of alkanes and alkynes, confirming that the decarbonylation was the dominant deoxygenation pathway [28,36]. Meanwhile, cycloalkanes and cycloalkenes were found to be the minor constituents.…”

Lewis acid Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalysts for H2-free deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil to biofuels

“…The loss of active sites is likely due to the formation of carbon coke or the sintering of metal particle deactivating the catalyst. 37 Analysis of coke -TG-DTA analysis…”