Study of metal sequenced spray impregnation method towards Co-Mo/γ-Al2O3 catalytic performance in hydrotreating of used coconut oil to liquid biohydrocarbon

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials 2025-01, Vol.382, p.113357, Article 113357
• Main Authors: Ardini, Meissha Ayu, Triyono, Hara, Takayoshi, Ichikuni, Nobuyuki, Trisunaryanti, Wega
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cobalt molybdenum; Hydrocracking; Hydrodeoxygenation; Used coconut oil; γ-Al2O3
• ISSN: 1387-1811
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2024.113357

A series of bifunctional catalyst CoMo on γ-Al2O3 have been successfully prepared using the spray impregnation (dry impregnation), with the variation in the metal sequence (Co-Mo and Mo-Co) and metal impregnation time gap (1-h, 24-h, and simultaneous). XRF indicated that the developed method causes a minimal amount of metal loss during the impregnation process. XRD shows that 24-h treatment reduces crystallinity compared to the 1-h and simultaneous catalysts. Co and Mo existed as CoAl2O4, CoO, and MoO3 as reported by XANES and XPS. The preparation technique signified the catalyst's acidity and surface area. The Co-Mo/γ-Al2O3 24H has a high surface area (118.32 m2 g−1), with a pore volume of 0.22 cm3 g−1, and a pore diameter of 7.48 nm. It has a high proportion of weak acid sites (41.32 %) which is crucial to perform HDO reactions. Co-Mo/γ-Al2O3 24H showed high catalytic activity (40.32 wt% liquid product) and selectivity (85.61 % of biogasoline and 9.75 % of diesel fractions) from the hydrotreatment. Kimi@UGM2010. [Display omitted] •A new method termed metal-sequenced spray impregnation was studied to prepare a mesoporous bifunctional catalyst to convert used coconut oil become biohydrocarbon (biogasoline and diesel oil) fractions.•The method has successfully created the catalyst with minimum loss in metal amount, but still maintaining the character of high acidity, surface area, and metal dispersion.•The use of green preparation is emphasized including less solvent, no sulfur added to increase acidity, and a shorter calcination-reduction time.•Used Coconut oil was the main source of triglycerides used, prepared by mild heating (110 °C) and simple filtration, resulting in >90 % selectivity towards biohydrocarbon fractions.