Engineering of zeolite crystals for catalytic cracking of triglycerides to renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals: a review

Abstract

The depletion of petroleum reserves along with environmental concerns associated with the use of fossil fuels has driven the search for sustainable sources of fuels and chemicals. In this context, catalytic cracking of triglycerides represents a promising alternative to produce renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. Zeolite catalysts have played a key role in the catalytic cracking process for years. The shift from fossil to biogenic resources has stimulated immense efforts over the last decades to obtain novel classes of zeolite catalysts with tailored properties for efficient upgrading of triglycerides. The present paper aims to provide a comprehensive review on catalytic cracking of triglycerides over zeolite catalysts with the focus on major achievements in engineering of zeolite crystals for being adapted with triglyceride-based oils. Hence, a brief overview of catalytic cracking of triglycerides was first presented to provide relevant background. Engineering of zeolite crystals by shortening diffusion path lengths and incorporating heteroatoms for catalytic cracking of triglycerides was then discussed along prominent examples from the literature. Several directions for future research to advance zeolite catalysts for efficient upgrading of triglycerides to renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals were finally given.