Hydrodeoxygenation of isoeugenol in continuous mode using bifunctional Pt-Beta 25-binder catalysts for renewable jet fuel production

A series of extrudates composed of platinum, zeolite H-Beta-25 and Bindzil as a binder were tested in the hydrodeoxygenation of isoeugenol in a continuous trickle-bed reactor to produce propylcyclohexane, a compound within the hydrocarbon range of jet fuel. All catalytic tests were performed at 30 bar of hydrogen, with a gas flow rate of 40 mL min(-1), and a liquid flowrate of 0.5 mL min(-1) of a mixture of isoeugenol in dodecane (0.012 M). Screening of the catalysts was performed at 150 degree celsius to determine the effect of the metal location, catalyst acidity and the platinum particle size. A higher conversion (53%) and the propylcyclohexane yield (39%) were obtained when Pt was located on both zeolite and the binder, while platinum located on the binder resulted in a lower activity (49% dihydroeugenol conversion and 30% propylcyclohexane yield). The effect of temperature on activity and catalyst deactivation was determined using the catalyst with platinum supported on both the zeolite and the binder. A range of temperatures between 65 and 200 degree celsius was used with a total time on stream of ca. 30 h showing ca. 10% of deactivation. High dihydroeugenol conversions (ca. 100%) and propylcyclohexane yields (>66%) were obtained at 150 degree celsius.