Effect of dealumination and desilication of beta zeolite on performance of nickel catalysts in hydroisomerization for bio-jet fuel production

Abstract

-The Global aviation fuel consumption tends to increase. In recent years, the European Union has announced that fossil fuels jet fuel must be mixed with 10% biofuels in 2020. bio-jet fuel production has many processes such as biomass pyrolysis. or hydro-processing of vegetable oil Therefore, there is a challenge to increase the volume and specificity of bio-jet fuel. At the same time, biofuels are required properties ASTM D7566 specification. The aviation fuel has the appropriate freezing point and stability requirements to be used. This research aims to convert palm olein into bio-jet fuel by using Ni-based catalyst supported on beta zeolite with and without dealumination and desilication, which was prepared by using incipient wetness impregnation. The dealuminated beta zeolite was prepared by using HF/NH4F solution and desilicated zeolite was prepared by using NaOH solution at ambient temperature. Hydroisomerizaiton of palm olein was investigated effect of parameter: acid and base concentration (0.25-0.75 M), initial H2 pressure (30-50 bar), and reaction temperature (320-360 ˚C). The use of Ni/desilicated beta zeolite could reduce coke formation. The biofuel obtained from hydroisomerization had the high iso/normal alkane ratio at 2.54 by using Ni/beta-0.25-deA at 340 ˚C 40 under initial H2 pressure to reduce freezing point at -60.1 ˚C.