Development of bimetallic nickel-based catalysts supported on activated carbon for green fuel production

Sustainable biofuel synthesis from non-edible oils: a mesoporous ZSM-5/Ni/Pt catalyst approach

This work examines the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity of non-edible oils using a high surface area catalyst. The HDO activity was thoroughly examined and contrasted using the high surface area catalyst Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 as well as other supports like MCM-48 and H-beta. Ni/Pt bimetals supported on mesoporous ZSM-5 were created via reverse order impregnation to facilitate HDO of non-edible oils. Techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, BET, HR-TEM, HR-SEM, TPD, and TGA were used to characterize the produced catalysts. The synthesized catalysts considerably influenced the hydrodeoxygenation activities for the synthesis of lengthy chain hydrocarbons in a stainless-steel reactor with a high-pressure fixed bed between 300 and 375 °C under 10-40 bar hydrogen pressure. High levels of Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 acidity, textural, and H2 consumption qualities were discovered. Distributions of the products were also reviewed, along with comparisons of the structure-activity connections.

Synthesis of mesoporous zeolite Y using Sapindus rarak extract as natural organic surfactant for deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil to biofuel

Saponin is a plant-derived chemical with an amphiphilic glycoconjugate structure extracted from sapindaceae plants like Sapindus rarak. This study investigated saponin extract of Sapindus rarak as a natural template for formation of mesoporous zeolite Y. Surface area and mesoporosity of zeolite Y were improved with optimization of Sapindus rarak extract (SRE) concentration (Y-Ln; n = 2, 5, 10 or 15 mL), reaching 216.26 m2 mesoporous area and 0.214 cm3 g-1 mesoporous volume for Y-L10 samples. A different loading of Ni was impregnated onto Y-L10 zeolite to improve Lewis/Brønsted acidity as catalysts in the deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil (RTO) into hydrocarbon fuels. Impregnating 15% Ni on NaY zeolite enhanced Lewis acidity to 0.4556 mmol g-1, producing 48.8% liquid oil with 85.43% degree of deoxygenation. A high selectivity towards C15 and C17 hydrocarbon was analyzed from liquid yield, indicating the contributing factor from Lewis acidity and mesoporosity to enhance deoxygenation and prevent the hydrocracking reaction.

Catalytic deoxygenation of palm oil over metal phosphides supported on palm fiber waste derived activated biochar for producing green diesel fuel

Palm oil conversion into green diesel by catalytic deoxygenation (DO) is one of the distinctive research topics in biorefinery towards a bio-circular-green economic model to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, palm fiber waste was explored as an alternative precursor for the preparation of activated biochar as a support material. A new series of nickel phosphide (Ni–P) and iron phosphide (Fe–P) catalysts supported on palm fiber activated biochar (PFAC) was synthesized by wetness impregnation, and extensive characterization was performed by several techniques to understand the characteristics of the supported metal phosphide catalysts prior to palm oil deoxygenation for producing of green diesel (C₁₅–C₁₈ hydrocarbons). The PFAC support exhibited suitable physicochemical properties for catalyst preparation, such as high carbon content, and high porosity (S_BET of 1039.64 m² g⁻¹ with V_T of 0.572 cm³ g⁻¹). The high porosity of the catalyst support (PFAC) significantly promotes the metal phosphide nanoparticle dispersion. The DO of palm oil was tested in a trickle bed down flow reactor under hydrogen atmosphere. The outstanding catalytic performance of supported Ni–P and Fe–P catalysts provided an impressive liquid hydrocarbon yield between 63.37 and 79.65% with the highest green diesel selectivity of 62.64%. Decarbonylation (DCO) and decarboxylation (DCO₂) are the main pathways for the relative phosphide catalysts as presented by the high number of C_n−1 atoms (C₁₅ and C₁₇ hydrocarbons). In addition, metal phosphide/PFAC catalysts could achieve great potential application as a promising alternative catalyst for biofuel production via deoxygenation for large-scale operation owing to their excellent catalytic activity, simple preparation, and utilization of sustainable resources.

Palm oil deoxygenation over palm fiber activated biochar supported metal phosphide catalysts.

Lewis acid Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalysts for H2-free deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil to biofuels

The activity of mesoporous Al-MCM-41 for deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil (RTO) was enhanced via modification with NiO nanoparticles. Deoxygenation at atmospheric pressure and under H₂ free conditions required acid catalysts to ensure the removal of the oxygenated fragments in triglycerides to form liquid hydrocarbons. NiO at different weight loadings was impregnated onto Al-MCM-41 and the changes of Lewis/Brønsted acidity and mesoporosity of the catalysts were investigated. The activity of Al-MCM-41 was enhanced when impregnated with NiO due to the increase of Lewis acidity originating from NiO nanoparticles and the mesoporosity of Al-MCM-41. Increasing the NiO loading enhanced the Lewis acidity but not Brønsted acidity, leading to a higher conversion towards liquid hydrocarbon yield. Impregnation with 10% of NiO on Al-MCM-41 increased the conversion of RTO to hydrocarbons via the deoxygenation pathway and reduced the products from cracking reaction, consequently enhancing the green diesel (C11–C18) hydrocarbon products.

The activity of mesoporous Al-MCM-41 for deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil (RTO) was enhanced via modification with NiO nanoparticles.

Production of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil via Deoxygenation Using Ni-Mo/Ac Catalyst

Waste cooking oil (WCO) from palm oil is one of the most prospective biodiesel feedstock when compared to other oil seeds. Thus, WCO has great potential as a green source of diesel fuel for engines in motor vehicles and machinery. This project aimed to study the potential of three randomly selected types of WCO, namely; sample A (used 1× once to fry an egg), sample B (used 3–5× to fry salted fish), and sample C (used repeatedly to fry banana fritter) for the production of green diesel fuel over Ni-Mo/AC (nickel and molybdenum oxides incorporated with activated carbon) catalyst through the deoxygenation (DO) process. The prepared catalyst was characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The DO process was performed at 350 °C to remove oxygen from the WCO samples. The liquid products were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), to measure the yields of straight-chain hydrocarbons and fractions in the range C8‒C20. Results showed that the highest n-(C8‒C20) hydrocarbon fractions were produced in the order of sample B (89.93%) > C (88.84%) > A (82.81%).