Green diesel rich product (C-₁₅) from the hydro-deoxygenation of refined palm oil over activated NH₄⁺-Indonesian natural zeolite

Zeolite is a potential material for use as a catalyst in various catalytic reactions. In this research, green diesel-range hydrocarbons were successfully derived from refined palm oil <i>via</i> a hydrotreating process in a batch-stirred autoclave reactor using activated Indonesian natural zeolite (ANZ) as a catalyst. A series of detailed characterizations, including XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR, N₂ sorption isotherm, and NH₃-TPD, were utilized to investigate the physicochemical properties of the catalyst. Herein, the ANZ, dominated by the mordenite phase, was prepared through dealumination and NH₄⁺-exchange, and directly used without calcination that is commonly performed to convert NH₄⁺ into a proton. Moreover, the hydrotreating reaction was carried out at 375°C with a weight ratio of feed to catalyst of 100:1. The catalytic tests showed that C₁₅ alkanes were the most dominant liquid product obtained <i>via</i> the decarbonylation reaction mechanism of refined palm oil. In addition, the highest activity of the ANZ catalyst exhibited up to ~36 wt.% and selectivity up to 70% toward the formation of C₁₅ diesel-range with cetane numbers in the range 71 and 77.