The push for carbon neutrality has emphasized the necessity of finding viable alternate fuel sources. Fatty acid-rich used cooking oils can be diverted from landfills and used as a source for hydrocarbon fuel production, helping to close the carbon gap. Currently, most efforts to produce renewable hydrocarbon fuels from waste oils have focused on non-aqueous thermocatalytic conversion using noble metal catalysts (e.g., Pt, Pd) and an external pressurized hydrogen gas source. Here, we report on the development of hydrothermal fatty acid catalytic conversion processes (condensed water, 300-370°C, 15-20 MPa) using an earth-abundant bimetal catalyst (supported nickel-copper) and waste organic co-products (e.g., methanol, glycerol) as hydrogen sources. Experiments examine the effects of catalyst formulation, including metal support, bimetal ratio, and metal deposition process on conversion rates and selectivity to the target hydrocarbon products. Additionally, bimetal stability and activity in hydrothermal conditions will be assessed.

Application of nickel-copper bimetallic catalysts for hydrothermal food waste to biofuel conversion

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.