Deoxygenation of palm kernel oil to jet fuel-like hydrocarbons using Ni-MoS2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

In the current study, palm kernel oil was used as a renewable feedstock for production of jet fuel-like hydrocarbons via the deoxygenation over the Ni-MoS2/y-Al2O3 catalyst. The dominant C12 fatty acid content in palm kernel oil makes it promising for jet fuel application. Synthesized by a liquid processing method with thiourea organosulfur agent, the catalyst revealed MoS2 structure with low stacking, while Ni substitution in the MoS2 structure and interaction with the Al2O3 support were determined based on the Ni K-edge XANES and EXAFS results. A high hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity, which as the major pathway in the deoxygenation, was observed upon application of a H-2 pressure of 30-50 bar over Ni-MoS2/Y-Al2O3. The optimum product yield of approximately 92% was obtained mainly from the HDO pathway (similar to 60%) with 58% selectivity to C10-C12 jet fuel hydrocarbons. The flow property of the jet fuel-like hydrocarbons was more desirable than those obtained from palm olein oil-derived fuel. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.