Optimizing catalysis conditions to decrease aromatic hydrocarbons and increase alkanes for improving jet biofuel quality

• Zeolite HY exhibited higher jet range alkanes selectivity than zeolite HZSM-5.
• Zeolite HY exhibited lower jet range aromatic hydrocarbons selectivity than HZSM-5.
• The reaction temperature was optimized to produce quality jet fuel.
• A high yield of jet fuel was obtained at 1 MPa low hydrogen pressure.

To produce quality jet biofuel with high amount of alkanes and low amount of aromatic hydrocarbons, two zeolites of HY and HZSM-5 supporting Ni and Mo were used as catalysts to convert soybean oil into jet fuel. Zeolite HY exhibited higher jet range alkane selectivity (40.3%) and lower jet range aromatic hydrocarbon selectivity (23.8%) than zeolite HZSM-5 (13.8% and 58.9%). When reaction temperature increased from 330 to 390 °C, yield of jet fuel over Ni–Mo/HY catalyst at 4 MPa hydrogen pressure increased from 0% to 49.1% due to the shift of reaction pathway from oligomerization to cracking reaction. Further increase of reaction temperature from 390 to 410 °C resulted in increased yield of jet range aromatic hydrocarbons from 18.7% to 30%, which decreased jet fuel quality. A high yield of jet fuel (48.2%) was obtained at 1 MPa low hydrogen pressure over Ni (8 wt.%)–Mo (12 wt.%)/HY catalyst.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide