Work

Unlocking the potential of converting non-edible oils into sustainable jet fuel-range hydrocarbons using simply prepared nickel- or molybdenum-promoted zirconia catalysts

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The growing environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption and the projected depletion of economically viable reserves highlight the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the production of bio-jet fuel from Calophyllum inophyllum oil (CIO) and Pongamia pinnata oil (PPO), two non-edible and abundant feedstocks in Indonesia, using Ni/ZrO₂ or Mo/ZrO₂ catalysts. The catalysts were synthesized via spray impregnation, resulting in enhanced total acidity and catalytic activity. Atmospheric hydrotreatment was carried out in a semi-batch reactor under a hydrogen flow of 20 mL/min for 2 h. The results revealed that Ni/ZrO₂ exhibited superior selectivity toward jet fuel-range hydrocarbons (C₈–C₁₆) compared to Mo/ZrO₂. Furthermore, PPO, which contains a higher proportion of longer-chain unsaturated fatty acids (C₁₆–C₂₄), produced a lower bio-jet fuel yield than CIO (C₁₆–C₂₂). The bio-jet fuel derived from CIO using Ni/ZrO₂ as the most effective catalyst demonstrated favorable properties, including a freezing point of –36.8°C and a density of 809.8 kg/m³ at 15°C. Overall, these findings confirm the viability of CIO and PPO as renewable feedstocks and highlight the potential of Ni/ZrO₂ as an efficient catalyst for sustainable aviation fuel production and carbon emission reduction.

Source: Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action

DOI: 10.1016/j.scca.2025.100126