Feasibility of advancing the production of bio-jet fuel via microwave reactor under low reaction temperature

• Main Authors: Ravindran, Megan X. Y., Asikin-Mijan, N., Ong, H. C., Derawi, Darfizi, Yusof, M. R., Mastuli, M. S., Lee, Hwei Voon, Mahmood, W. N. A. S. Wan, Razali, M. S., Al-Sultan, G. Abdulkareem, Taufiq-Yap, Y. H.
• Format: Article
• Published: ELSEVIER 2022
• Subjects: TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/46183/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2022.105772

Catalytic reduction of oxygen-containing compounds in palm kernel oil has been studied under H2-free atmosphere condition using microwave system approach over Raney nickel and magnetite activated carbon-based catalysts. The role of porous structure and active O-containing groups of magnetite activated carbon (FeMo/ ACB) catalyst during deoxygenation (DO) at 250 degrees C was investigated. Activated carbon catalysts, obtained from bamboo-derived biochar activation at 800 degrees C with KOH exhibited large surface area and O-containing group. With the introduction of the FeMo/ACB catalyst, the relative content of bio-jet fuel increased remarkably (-80%) with the bio-jet fuel selectivity of -80%. Noted, the high DO activity also showed strong correlation with the presence of high acidic sites, high porosity and surface on the bamboo-derived carbon support, which in turn allows the active metals Fe-Mo to coat the ACB support thoroughly thus promoting a more efficient DO reaction. In addition, the FeMo/ACB catalyst showed excellent reusability over five consecutive cycles, with hydrocarbon fractions ranging from 62% to 80% and bio-jet fuel selectivity from 65% to 80% and minimum coke formation (< 2 wt%).