Aldol condensation of biomass-derived aldehydes and ketones followed by hydrogenation over Ni/HZSM-5 to produce aviation fuel: Role of acid sites

Abstract

As the aviation sector grows and fossil fuels are utilized, the environment and economy depend on biomass-based aviation fuel. This study investigated acid sites in aldol condensation to produce aviation fuel from biomass-derived aldehydes and ketones over the bifunctional catalyst Ni/HZSM-5. Due to its excellent 10-member ring channels structure, HZSM-5 yielded 63.81% of the targeted condensates as aviation fuel precursor. At 200 °C for 9 h, aldehydes and ketones were converted to 90.32% and 69.53% of the required condensates. Sodium ion-exchange HZSM-5 with different Brönsted acid site quantities was tested for condensation. Brönsted acid sites were the active center for aldol condensation of aldehydes and ketones, increasing product yield. In γ-Al2O3, the overall amount of Brönsted acid and Lewis acid was equivalent to that of HZSM-5, the amount of Lewis acid was much more. The yield of the targeted condensates over γ-Al2O3 was only 46.11%, much lower than that of HZSM-5 (69.53%). Thus, Brönsted acid sites were better than Lewis acid sites for aldol condensation of aldehydes and ketones. The balance of active sites for aldol condensation and hydrogenation increased the intended alkane yield to 62.91% with 20 wt% Ni loading. This study involves improving biomass-based aviation fuel generation.