A Study on Hydroprocessing of Jatropha Oil for Aviation Turbine Fuel (7667)
Increasing price of fuel and decreasing resources of fossil fuel have put forward a need to think of an alternative resource of energy. Pollution adds a specification to this need that the alternative should be less polluting. A huge part of research is being devoted to this area as a consequence of which bio-diesel has been derived successfully. Jatropha oil can be a good choice and seems to be an ideal and favourable source for triglycerides because it does not compete with arable land for food and may yield more biofuel per hectare than from canola, sunflower, and soyabean. The fact that Jatropha oil cannot be used for nutritional purposes without detoxification makes its use as energy or fuel source very attractive as biodiesel. Aviation turbine fuel is a mixture of many different hydrocarbons. In a jet engine, small carbonaceous particles are formed early in the combustion process. These particles become incandescent under the high temperature and pressure conditions of the combustion section. Absorption of this infrared radiation by the combustor walls augments the normal heat received by heat transfer from the combustion gases. High combustor wall temperatures or hot spots can lead to cracks and premature engine failures. If these carbonaceous particles are not completely consumed by the flame, they can also be harmful if they impinge on turbine blades and stators, causing erosion. Hydroprocessing is treatment in the presence of hydrogen at high temperature and pressure in the presence of catalyst. Hydrotreatment of jatropha oil was carried out in a closed batch reactor followed by distillation assembly. This process was studied at three temperatures (150oC, 200oC, 300oC) and at atmospheric pressure. Effect of three catalysts has been studied during the process i.e. Nickel Chloride, Chromium Oxide and Copper at two different proportions by weight (1%, 5%). Purpose of using these non-conventional catalysts was there reproducibility, in-situ preparation and ability of hydrogenation. Also they are cheaper than the conventional hydrotreatment catalysts. It is clear from the findings that the yield is increasing as we move from Copper to Chromium Oxide to Nickel Chloride. Above study concludes that hydroprocessing is a fruitful route for producing lighter fuels and it can give rise to production of lubricating oil. Non-edible oils are being worked upon from a long time for producing alternatives to the products of crude petroleum oil.