Hydro-processing of biomass-derived oil into straight-chain alkanes

Initially converting the glyceride-based oils derived from biomass into straight-chain alkanes are necessary for producing hydro-processed renewable jet (HRJ). In this study, palm oil was turned into C₁₅–C₁₈ alkanes over two different catalysts, Pd/C and NiMo/γ-Al₂O₃, with various reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) and H₂-to-oil ratio. The fresh and used catalysts after hydro-processing reaction were then characterized through the techniques including TGA, FTIR, XRD and SEM. The liquid products were analysed through GC-MS/FID and the concentrations of C₁₅–C₁₈ were determined. The gas products, such as CO₂, CO, C₃H₈, CH₄ and H₂, were analysed through GC-TCD for indirectly “visualizing” the reaction, including the performances of hydro-deoxygenation (HDO) as well as decarbonylation/decarboxylation, hydrogenolysis, the occurrence of methanation and the consumption of hydrogen. The suggested experimental conditions over these two catalysts were elaborated based on the concentration of n-alkanes and gas products.