Preparation of inorganic catalysts from ceramic industry wastes for use in the production of biofuel

Abstract

Catalysts’ surface structural features and characterizations play an important role in many chemical industrial processes among which is biofuel production. Heterogeneous catalysts strongly affect the types of products in catalytic hydrocracking of oils. The present study aims at the preparation of low-cost inorganic catalysts with improved catalytic activity. This will then be used in the production of bio-jet fuel — conforming to ASTM specifications — by hydrocracking of Jatropha oil. Five types of inorganic catalysts have been prepared and tested. The best results were obtained from the catalyst produced from ceramic wastes. It produced the highest bio-jet yield (51%) and the highest freezing point (− 52 °C). A BET surface area of 21.9 m2/g and a "total pore volume" of 0.025877 cm3/g were obtained.