Catalytic conversion of chicken fats into fuel grade hydrocarbons

Fatty acid is considered as a renewable source for producing transportation fuel. As there is an ongoing price hike of diesel and kerosene as well as a lack of sustainable fuel to mitigate global climate change, the current study developed a one-step process of fuel grade hydrocarbons production from low-grade chicken fats (as a fatty acid source) using NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Results showed that straight-chain hydrocarbons were obtained through deoxygenation of chicken fats at different temperatures (350 to 400 °C) and reaction times (0.25 to 1 h). 65% liquid yield and 87% degree of deoxygenation were obtained at the optimum reaction conditions (400 °C and 1 h) using 5 wt%NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, whereas the liquid product contains 18.7% C8 to C15 alkanes, 38.5% hexadecane, 39% heptadecane and 3.8% C18 to C20 alkanes. Liquid product has a similar high heating value (HHV) and density as a commercial fuel such as diesel. This work opens a new research window in the field of green energy to improve global energy security.