Valorization of Animal-Waste-Derived Feedstocks through Sustainable Hydrocarbon Fuel Production

The present study reports the first-of-its-kind process for producing sustainable hydrocarbon fuels from novel bio-feedstocks SBB (slaughterhouse-waste biodiesel byproduct) and PBB (poultry-waste biodiesel byproduct) obtained from animal waste oil-based biodiesel. The process demonstrated that the conversion of those feedstocks and hydrocarbon product selectivity varied according to the catalyst and feedstock properties. The Zn/SBZ catalyst possessing the ideal combination of micro-mesopores and acid sites exhibited 100% conversion for those feedstocks to produce liquid products composed of mainly 72-75% aromatics and 25-28% larger non-aromatics (C8–C15 naphthenes and C7–C12 iso-paraffins) with the research octane number (RON) of 100 suitable for sustainable aviation fuel applications. The Zn/Z catalyst only with micropores and predominant acid sites appears to be a suitable catalyst for gasoline production due to its high aromatic selectivity (83-85%) and favorable RON (105), although it showed relatively low conversion (∼80%). It was also discovered that the SBB’s high hydrocarbon constituents made it a better feedstock for the production of hydrocarbon fuel than the PBB. Overall, the conversion of animal waste into fuel-range hydrocarbons not only provides an eco-friendly solution for waste management but also holds the potential to enhance energy security by reducing the need for fossil fuels, thereby supporting a more sustainable future.