Hydrocracking of Fischer–Tropsch Paraffin Mixtures over Strong Acid Bifunctional Catalysts to Engine Fuels

[Image: see text] Biomass-based Fischer–Tropsch paraffin mixtures, having C(16)–C(46) and C(11)–C(45) carbon number range, were hydrocracked over platinum-supported beta, ZSM-5, and mordenite catalysts. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the feedstock composition, the process parameters, and the catalyst properties (acidity and zeolite structure) on the C(21(+)) conversions, the product yields, and the isoparaffin contents. It was stated that lower C(21(+)) conversions and higher JET and diesel fuel yields can be obtained for feedstock comprising C(11)–C(45) hydrocarbons. Under identical reaction conditions, the activity order of the catalysts was Pt/H-beta > Pt/H-ZSM-5 > Pt/H-mordenite. This order corresponds to the relative number of accessible acid sites. Among the tested catalysts, platinum-supported beta zeolite showed the highest hydroisomerization activity; meanwhile, in the pores of Pt/ZSM-5 and Pt/H-mordenite, diffusion constraints were observed. As the product of hydrocracking valuable gasoline, JET and diesel fuels having high hydrogen content and excellent burning properties were produced.