Hydroconversion of triglycerides to hydrocarbons over Mo-Ni/γ-Al ₂O₃ catalyst under low hydrogen pressure

The hydroconversion of coconut oil to saturated hydrocarbons under low hydrogen pressure was demonstrated, using a sulfur-free Mo-Ni/γ-Al ₂O₃ catalyst prepared by the co-impregnation of Ni and Mo species. The Mo-Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibited remarkably high conversion of coconut oil as well as high selectivity for the generation of the hydrocarbon fraction associated with jet fuel. Examining variations in product distributions with contact time showed that hydrocarbons were produced primarily through the hydrogenolysis of triglycerides followed by hydrodecarboxylation of fatty acids. Increases in the contact time led to improvements in the proportion of hydrocarbons via the hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acids. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]