Hydrodeoxygenation of vegetable oil on M/WO3-Al2O3(M = NiMo, Pt, Pd, Ni) catalysts for producing biofuels

Abstract

Hydrodeoxygenation of sunflower oil on M/WO3-Al2O3 (M = NiMo, Pt, Pd, Ni) catalysts prepared by incipient wetness impregnation was investigated. The metal deposited on WO3-Al2O3 affects the main directions of the conversion of raw materials, and, consequently, the yield and composition of the products. The low dispersion of monometallic catalysts and high Brønsted acidity promote oxygen removal along the direct hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) route. Unlike monometallic systems, triglyceride hydrocracking on NiMoS/WO3-Al2O3 catalysts proceeds with the formation of propane as the main by-product. The high activity of the NiMoS/WO3-Al2O3 catalyst in hydrogenation and decarbonylation/decarboxylation (deCOx) reactions results in lower yields of liquid hydrocarbon product.