Catalytic cracking of carinata oil for hydrocarbon biofuel over fresh and regenerated Zn/Na-ZSM-5

Catalytic cracking of carinata oil over fresh and regenerated Zn/Na-ZSM-5 catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor at 450 degrees C was carried out to produce hydrocarbon biofuel. The effect of the fresh and regenerated Zn/Na-ZSM-5 on the hydrocarbon biofuel's quality and yield was discussed. Characterization of the catalyst, hydrocarbon biofuel and gas were carried out. The hydrocarbon biofuel yield obtained over regenerated Zn/Na-ZSM-5 increased but the coke yield and distillation residual yield decreased, compared to fresh Zn/Na-ZSM-5. The regeneration of Zn/Na-ZSM-5 had a minor influence on the density of the hydrocarbon biofuel, but the higher heating value (HHV) decreased, and the viscosity and acid value increased over regenerated Zn/Na-ZSM-5. The regeneration of Zn/Na-ZSM-5 reduced the decarboxylation, decarbonylation and dehydrogenation of carinata oil, which caused the lower content of CO2, CO, H-2 and light hydrocarbons (C-1-C-5). A preliminary test of the distillation residual mixture upgrading over fresh Zn/Na-ZSM-5 was performed, suggesting that the distillation residual mixture could be recycled for further upgrading. The produced. gas including H-2, CO and light hydrocarbons might be reused as syngas for ether power generation or production of value chemicals. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.