Catalytic conversion of palm oil to fuels and chemicals

The conversion of palm oil to hydrocarbons using a shape selective zeolite catalyst is reported in this work. Palm oil was passed over HZSM-5 catalyst in a fixed bed micro-reactor and the reactor was operated a:. atmospheric pressure, a temperature range of 360 to 420 degrees C and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 2 to 4 h(-1). Tie main objective was to study the effect of reaction temperature and oil space velocity on the conversion and selectivity of gasoline range hydrocarbons. The results show that 40 to 70wt% Of the palm oil can be converted to aromatics and hydrocarbons in the gasoline, diesel and kerosene range, light gases, coke and water. The maximum gasoline range hydrocarbons yield of 40wt% of total product formed was obtained at 400 degrees C and 2 h(-1) space velocity.