Alternative Non-Food-Based Diesel Fuels and Base Oils

The importance of aliphatic fuel and base oil blending components produced on a nonpetroleum basis is increasing. Therefore, the possibility to produce these environmentally friendly products in new catalytic ways was studied. High molecular weight Fischer–Tropsch waxes synthesized from lignocellulose-based synthesis gas, waste fatty acids, and different triglycerides were converted to diesel fuels and base oils over NiMoP/Al2O3 and Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts. The optimal operating parameters of high-quality products were determined. The activity of a special Pt/SAPO-11 catalyst, synthesized by a novel method, was compared with a conventionally synthesized Pt/SAPO-11 one in bio-alkane hydrocracking/isomerization. The novel catalyst had higher activity and selectivity than the conventionally manufactured one. Results of present study show that reactions can be directed to get mainly either monobranched or multibranched alkanes by selecting appropriate process parameters. The properties and the quality of the products could be controlled in a wide range to satisfy the quality demands.