Hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acid methyl esters and simultaneous products isomerization over bimetallic Ni‐Co / SAPO ‐11 catalysts

Bimetallic Ni-Co/SAPO-11 catalysts were prepared and investigated for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and sequential isomerization of the products in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by means of N2 adsorption-desorption, temperature-programmed reduction of H2, temperature-programmed desorption of NH3, infrared spectra of adsorbed pyridine, and thermogravimetry. The conversion of FAMEs and selectivity of C15-18 are enhanced over the bimetallic Ni-Co/SAPO-11 catalysts compared with that of the corresponding monometallic counterparts, which is attributed to the modification effect by Co species. The balance between metal Ni and Co and the acidity of the support plays an important role in the catalytic performance. The Ni-Co/SAPO-11 catalysts with composition of 3% Ni and 6% Co exhibit optimal catalytic performance, specifically the conversion of FAMEs, selectivity of C15-18, and isomerization ratio of C15-18, respectively, reaching 100.0%, 93.0%, and 36.1% at 400°C and 1.5 Mpa H2.