The Ni-Mo/γ-Al2O3 catalyzed hydrodeoxygenation of FAME to aviation fuel

Sulfur-free Ni-Mo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared and characterized by XRD. The catalysts were used for hydrodeoxygenation of pre-treated poor quality lipids to produce hydrocarbon biofuels, and tested for two samples in a fixed bed reactor. The loading amounts of active metals Mo and Ni were optimized through the hydrodeoxygenation reaction yields of pre-treated waste cooking oil (transformed to methyl ester). Considering hydrodeoxygenation yields and compositions of the obtained products, the optimal loading amounts of Mo and Ni were 10% and 5% by weight, respectively. Using this catalyst, the hydrodeoxygenation yield of enzymatically pre-treated waste cooking oil could reach 97%.