Upgradation of Eugenol to ASTM D 1655 standard Bio-Jet(A) fuel range hydrocarbons via hydrodeoxygenation process over Ru-Ni supported KIT-6/HZSM-5

Abstract

A novel hierarchical Zeolite composite was successfully synthesized for bio-fuel application via catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin-Derived Phenolic Model Compound (LDPMC) in a downflow fixed bed reactor. The utilization of massive noble metals in the hydrodeoxygenation process in factories leads to an increase in the total cost of LDPMC technology. A fractional replacement of Ruthenium (Ru) by another transition metal Nickel (Ni), is a potentially effective method. The core asset of the novel synthesized catalyst displayed the advantageous properties of both micro- and mesoporous. This could be confirmed by the results of XRD, BET, and surface analyzing microscopes. The synthesis of Rux-Ni10-x/KIT-6-HZSM-5 (x = 2, 4 & 6) bimetallic-monometallic catalysts and their catalytic performance for hydrodeoxygenation of Eugenol are reported in the present study. The hierarchical Zeolite composite catalysts were synthesized by a wet-chemistry method. The active catalysts were characterized by ATR-IR, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, HR-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, and TGA techniques. The synthesized 2 %Ru-8 %Ni/KIT-6-HZSM-5 exhibited 100 % conversion with a maximum yield of 48.70 % of the complete deoxygenated product (Jet A range fuel) due to the synergistic effect between Ru and Ni on hierarchical Zeolite composite support and superior catalytic activity compared to the other synthesized catalysts with the highest metal dispersion. The stability and reproducibility of catalysts were steady even after 4 cycles. The Ruthenium and Nickel loaded hierarchical Zeolite composite support showed superior activity related to other reported catalysts even at atmospheric pressure under variable experimental conditions.