Synthesis of Nickel-loaded Sulfated Zirconia Catalyst and Its Application for Converting Used Palm Cooking Oil to Gasoline via Hydrocracking Process

The synthesis of the nickel-loaded sulfated zirconia catalyst (Ni-SZ) and its application for the hydrocracking process have been carried out. This work has been conducted to determine the activity and selectivity from various Ni concentrations loaded on sulfated zirconia (SZ) in the hydrocracking of used palm cooking oil. The synthesis technique was preceded by sulfation of ZrO2 through incipient wetness impregnation method using H2SO4 solution and then continued with the impregnation of Ni via hydrothermal method employing NiSO4 · 6H2O precursor salt. The hydrocracking process was performed in a fix-bed microreactor at the optimum temperature (350 °C). The SZ loaded with 3 wt% of Ni (Ni-SZ 3) successfully produced the highest liquid product (44.25 wt%) and selectivity on gasoline (100 %). Besides, the gasoline fraction in the liquid product was dominated by unwanted aromatics compounds. The excellent performance of Ni-SZ 3 due to it has high acidity value, specific surface area, and Ni content.

Dealuminated and Desilicated Natural Zeolite as a Catalyst for Hydrocracking of Used Cooking Oil into Biogasoline

<p align="justify">The modification of natural zeolite has been conducted by dealumination and desilication using HCl and NaOH treatments as a catalyst for hydrocracking of used cooking oil into biogasoline. This research aimed to study the effect of dealumination and desilication on the natural zeolite activity and selectivity of a hydrocracking process. A variety of catalysts was prepared by applying 3, 6, and 9 M HCl in the dealumination of natural zeolite to produce DNZ(3-1), DNZ(3-2) DNZ(3-3), DNZ(6-1), DNZ(6-2), DNZ(6-3), DNZ(9-1), DNZ(9-2), and DNZ(9-3) catalysts and NaOH in the desilication of natural zeolite to obtain NZB catalyst. The results showed that the dealumination and the desilication treatments affected the liquid product conversion of used cooking oil from catalytic hydrocracking. The hydrocracking of used cooking oil with NZB catalyst produced the highest gasoline fuel conversion of 94.87%. </p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"> </p>