"PREPARATION OF INORGANIC CATALYSTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIO-JET FUEL BY HYDROCRACKING OF JATROPHA OIL"

Abstract

Biofuels such as biodiesel and biojet fuel are‏ important sources of renewable energy, which will in the near future, replace petroleum fuels. Biofuels in general, can be produced from several raw agriculture materials. Currently, the most important biofuel is biojet fuel, as a partial replacement of jet fuel of petroleum origin. The most promising method for biojet fuel manufacture is the catalytic hydrocracking of a low cost raw vegetable oil such as non-edible Jatropha Oil. The type of product and its quality depend on the process conditions such as reaction time, temperature and the catalyst type, form, and amount. Heterogeneous catalysts play an important role in this process. The present thesis aims at the selection and preparation of an economic inorganic catalyst. This will then be used in the production of biojet fuel by hydrocracking of Jatropha oil conforming to ASTM specifications.