True boiling point distillation and product quality assessment of biocrude obtained from Mesua ferrea L. seed oil via hydroprocessing

Abstract

In this article, hydroprocessing of non-edible Mesua ferrea L. (MFL) seed oil has been described for the first time with a perspective for the production of liquid biofuels identical to petroleum products. MFL seed oil was hydroprocessed at the constant temperature of 400 °C under 7.5 MPa initial H₂ pressure in a 2L capacity batch reactor for 4 h using 0.1 % Na₂CO₃ as catalyst. About 90 wt% biocrude could be obtained after hydroprocessing while the balance 7 % escapes as non-condensable gases and 2–3 % water at the bottom of the collecting flask. The resultant biocrude was characterized with regard to appropriate standards and distilled as per ASTM D2892 and ASTM D5236 using the TBP distillation unit. The distillate fractions obtained were characterized and it was found that the petroleum fraction within the boiling range of 35–140 °C was 15 wt%, kerosene and aviation fuel within the boiling range of 140–300 °C were 22 wt%, while the diesel fraction in the range of 300–370 °C was 14 wt%. About 11 wt% slightly yellowish coloured paraffin wax could also be recovered from the biocrude. Thus, the total recoverable distillates are 62 wt% of the original biocrude. The fuel properties of the different fractions were determined as per ASTM standard and were found to be in conformity to petroleum distillates. The economic analysis of the process and product unveil that the cost of biocrude and distillate is primarily dependent upon the cost of raw MFL seed oil. If the MFL can be availed @ INR 15/L then the prevailing costs of petroleum distillates and biocrude distillates have no difference at all.