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5 years ago

Upgrading of palm oil renewable diesel through hydroisomerization and formulation of an optimal blend

Upgrading of palm oil renewable diesel through hydroisomerization and formulation of an optimal blend
Renewable diesel is the best alternative to replace biodiesel due to its improved properties, but like biodiesel, renewable diesel has poor cold-flow properties. The hydroisomerization process improves the pour and cloud points of renewable diesel, but it worsens the cetane number and the flame point, both are regulated by international standards. In this work, desoxygenated palm oil (HDO) was produced in high yield (82wt%) using a sulphided NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst. Then, HDO was hydroisomerized at 50bar and 350°C, under hydrogen, with a Pt/SAPO11 catalyst, obtaining an isomer yield of 81%. TPR and TPO analyses showed that this catalyst can be reversibly reduced/oxidized at 155–160°C, therefore, it was completely reduced at the reaction conditions. Characterization of the isomerized product (i-HDO) showed a beneficial effect on cold-flow properties but an adverse effect on flash point, distillation range and cetane index due to light hydrocarbons formed during hydroisomerization. Light hydrocarbons (<C14, 7vol%) in i-HDO were distilled off at 180°C to tune the flash point and the distillation range. The hydroisomerized and distilled product (i-HDOd) was blended with HDO to determine the required hydroisomerization level to meet the cold-flow regulations. The optimal blend consisted of 71% i-HDOd and 29% HDO and it has a cetane index of 92.4, pour point of 2.8°C, flash point of 82°C, distillation range of 225–321°C and heating value of 47.3MJ/kg.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0016236117309948

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