Hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil over NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalyst

The non-sulfided NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalyst was developed to produce green diesel from the hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil. The NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by impregnation and characterized by N2-BET, SEM, XRD and TPD-Hads techniques. The straight chain alkanes ranging from C15 to C18 were the main components in product oil. The maximum yield of C15-C18 alkanes of 80%, selectivity of 90% and conversion of 89% were obtained at 370 °C, 3.5 MPa and 0.9 h−1. Influence of reaction temperature (280–400 °C) and reaction time (10–163 h) on the composition of product oil were discussed. The experimental results demonstrated that a suitable amount of metal Ce doping on the NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst presented stable catalytic performance and enhanced Jatropha oil conversion as well as C15-C18 fraction selectivity.

► Hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil over NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalyst can produce green diesel.
► NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalyst presented stable catalytic performance.
► NiMoCe/Al2O3 catalyst enhanced feedstock conversion and product selectivity.
► This process can eliminate the sulfurization step.
► This process avoided the harm of sulfide to environment and human health.