Hexadecane hydrocracking for production of jet fuels from renewable diesel over proton and metal modified H-Beta zeolites

Hydrocracking of hexadecane to produce jet fuel components was investigated over proton and metal modified Beta zeolites with different acidity. They were characterized by a range of physico-chemical methods. The initial catalyst screening was performed at 210 °C under 40 bar hydrogen showing that the most promising catalysts were 2.5 wt% Pt-H-Beta-25 and 2.5 wt% Ru-H-Beta-300, which were also tested at 240 °C under 45 bar hydrogen. The results revealed that the yield of jet fuel components was maximally 27% over 2.5 wt% Pt-H-Beta-25. This catalyst gave, however, only 55% mass balance closure to the liquid phase products, while a mildly acidic 2.5 wt% Ru-H-Beta-300 afforded 24% yield of the jet fuel components and 89% liquid mass balance closure.