Catalytic cracking of jatropha oil into biofuel over hierarchical zeolite supported NiMo catalyst

NiMo bimetal catalyst/hierarchical zeolite (NiMo/HZ) can be used in jatropha oil catalytic cracking into biofuel. The use of the hierarchical zeolite as a support can increase the reactant diffusion into the catalyst pores so that the reaction occurs optimally. This study aims to determine the characterization of NiMo/HZ catalysts and the biofuel selectivity produced in jatropha oil catalytic cracking. The hierarchical zeolite was synthesized from natural zeolites in Lampung using a desilication process and impregnated by varying the NiMo metal ratio (9:1, 8:2, and 7:3). The resulting catalyst was characterized using X-Ray Diffraction, Surface Area Analyzer, and Ammonia Temperature-Programmed Desorption. Catalytic cracking was performed using a stainless steel autoclave reactor at a temperature of 375°C for 2 hours.XRD results in all ratios showed the presence of Ni (2θ=52°), Mo (2θ=23°), and did not change the crystallinity of the zeolite. NiMo (9:1)/HZ catalyst had the largest acidity value of 1.9517 mmol/g and the largest surface area for NiMo (7:3)/HZ catalyst is 24.62 m2/g. Jatropha oil catalytic cracking showed the best results at NiMo (7:3)/HZ catalyst with selectivity of 36.38% gasoline, 14.44% kerosene, and 15.99% diesel.