ABSTRACT
Activated carbon-based metal oxides were tested for their performance in catalytic cracking of waste cooking oil to investigate the influence of their properties on the catalyst activity. The activated carbon produced a higher liquid yield with more C5–C20 hydrocarbon yields compared to commonly used ZSM-5 and Al2O3, in a continuous fixed bed reactor system. Coconut shellbased activated carbon showed better catalytic performance than wood-based activated carbon due to its higher surface area and more porous structure. In addition, metal oxides were incorporated onto activated carbon via the incipient wetness impregnation method to provide additional active sites for the reaction. Despite the increased liquid yield, the C5–C20 hydrocarbon yield varied in the sequence of metal: Mo < Cu < Ni < Co < Fe oxides supported on activated carbon. Change in strength and density of the catalyst acid and basic sites produced high C15 and C17 hydrocarbons contributed by better deoxygenation via decarboxylation and decarbonylation with catalytic cracking of waste cooking oil.
