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Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion
Published on: September 2, 2016
Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion
Siauw H Ng1, Yu Shi2, Nicole E Heshka2
1CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada; Siauw.Ng@canada.ca.
This study explores using canola oil with heavy gas oil in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) to produce transportation fuels. Results show the yields of gasoline, light cycle oil, and heavy cycle oil from this bio-feed blend.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Catalysis
- Petroleum Refining
Background:
- Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a key process in petroleum refining for producing transportation fuels.
- Investigating alternative feedstocks like canola oil is crucial for sustainable fuel production.
- Heavy gas oil (HGO) is a common feedstock in FCC processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the processability of canola oil as a bio-feed in FCC.
- To evaluate the co-processing of canola oil with bitumen-derived heavy gas oil (HGO).
- To determine the yields of various transportation fuel fractions and byproducts.
Main Methods:
- Cracking experiments were conducted using a fully automated reaction unit.
- Fixed parameters included weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), temperature (490-530 °C), and catalyst/oil ratios (4-12 g/g).
- Products were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), infrared (IR) cell, and Karl Fischer titration for water content.
Main Results:
- Cracking of canola oil in the presence of HGO produced gaseous, liquid, and solid products.
- Yields of gasoline, light cycle oil (LCO), and heavy cycle oil (HCO) were quantified.
- Water was identified as a byproduct, with its content determined by Karl Fischer titration.
Conclusions:
- Canola oil can be processed in FCC units when blended with HGO.
- The study provides insights into the product distribution and yields for this bio-feed co-processing scenario.
- Further research can optimize FCC conditions for enhanced biofuel production.
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