Production of bio-jet fuel through ethylene oligomerization using NiAlKIT-6 as a highly efficient catalyst

Abstract

This study investigated ethylene oligomerization as a pathway to produce bio-jet fuel from bioethanol using NiAlKIT-6 as the catalyst. NiAlKIT-6 was prepared from a sol–gel method with post-synthetic alumination, with Ni metal loaded using an incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalytic activity of NiAlKIT-6 was investigated in a continuous fixed-bed reactor at different reaction temperatures, pressures, and weight hourly space velocities. The effect of the Si:Al ratio and Ni loading on ethylene conversion, C8+ selectivity, liquid hydrocarbon yield, and turnover frequency were investigated. Higher Si:Al ratios and Ni loadings led to enhanced ethylene conversion and C8+ selectivity, although excess alumination changed the pore structure and hence decreased catalytic activity. The NiAlKIT-6 catalyst achieved an ethylene conversion of >95%, with C8+ selectivity up to 55%. For a time on stream of 30 h, the catalyst exhibited good stability with no significant decrease in C8+ selectivity. In addition, the spent catalyst could be regenerated and its catalytic activity maintained.