Fuel Processing Technology, Vol.151, 50-58, 2016
Optimizing renewable oil hydrocracking conditions for aviation bio-kerosene production
In the present work we have performed a parameter study to maximize the yields of aviation bio-kerosene and renewable diesel range products obtained from the conversion of plant-oil triglycerides over Ni-W/SiO2-Al2O3, hydrocracking catalyst. Specific insights and changes in reaction mechanisms, with C-O bond breaking favoured at increased pressures (>60 bar) leading to depropanation/deoxygenation, as compared to C-C bond breaking becoming favoured at reduced pressures (<60 bar) leading to formation of lower range esters and short chain glycerides, are established for the first time using analytical techniques (GC, NMR and IR). The C-C cleavage and low hydrogen partial pressures (<60 bar) led to formation of unsaturated intermediates, which promoted cyclization, aromatization and coking reactions, which increased deactivation of catalyst. High space time yield with a maximum of 240 ml/(h.L-catalyst) for