Hydroconversion of Jatropha Oil to Alternative Fuel over Hierarchical ZSM-5

Hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared by desilication with different NaOH concentrations. Their structure and acidity were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N 2 adsorption and desorption, ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH 3 -TPD), pyridine Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, CO chemisorptions, and hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption (H 2 -TPR). The catalytic conversion of jatropha oil into alternative fuel over the NiMo/hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts was investigated. The deoxygenation pathways were tuned by controlling the alkaline treatment. The DCO 2 reaction was strongly favored by strengthening the support-active phase interaction. The aromatization reaction among C 2 –C 8 olefins led to the increase of organic liquid products, especially the C 9 –C 15 hydrocarbons. In addition, this reaction was significantly improved by partial amorphization of the support but inhibited by the development of intracrystal mesopores. The larger mesoporous structure improved the selectivity of C 9 –C 15 paraffins. Moreover, the intracrystal mesopores had better catalytic cracking selectivity for C 9 –C 15 paraffins than pure microporous structure and amorphous structure.