Crude Tall Oil (CTO) is a by-product of the Kraft process, used to produce pulp from pressurized alkaline chemical treatment of wood. CTO is chemically composed of fatty acids (38-53%), resin acids (27-55%) and unsaponifiable (lipids) or neutral compounds (6.5-20%). This composition makes CTO a potential raw material for the production of Sustainable Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK), a renewable jet aviation fuel.
The process is conducted by contacting the CTO with a solid catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, which is commonly called hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Several catalytic reactions take place in the reaction medium, including esters production (biodiesel), but the main objective is to decrease the oxygen and water content and increase the heating value. HDO catalysts must be bifunctional, with the activation of oxygen molecules taking place in transition metal oxides or in support cations, and the donation of H+ species (from H2 activation) taking place at metallic sites.
Internal Call Nr. 06/2021 from the Dean of Research Office at the Federal University of Paraná
Coordinators: Kátia D. Oliveira e CÃcero N. Ãvila Neto
