Kinetics and Optimization of Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of WCO Using 2-Propanol as a Hydrogen Donor over NiOx–MoOx–CoOx/Zeolite

Abstract

Process optimization and reaction kinetics of catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of waste cooking oil (WCO) into jet fuels using zeolite-supported Ni–Co–Mo oxides catalyst in a packed-bed reactor were studied. Experiments were conducted at three different temperatures (360, 390, and 420 °C) to determine the rate constants, the order of reaction, and the activation energy. The kinetics study showed a first-order reaction with the activation energy estimated to be 84 ± 18.7 kJ/mol WCO with 95% confidence. Design of experiment (DOE) was employed to estimate the optimum reaction parameters using the polynomial model (383.7 °C; 14.8 bar; WCO-to-2-propanol ratio = 1.57 mL/mL; weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) = 6.7 h–1). Validation of the model at the optimum operating conditions generated 80% yield of liquid products with 77% alkanes, 3.8% alkenes, and 12.3% aromatics composition, and 6.7% gases, and 100% conversion of WCO. The catalyst was prepared via the wet impregnation method and characterized by X-...