Hydroisomerization catalysts for biological feedstocks

Abstract

Provided are hydroisomerization catalysts for processing a bio-based feedstock into biodiesel fuels. These catalysts comprise a catalytic material and a matrix component. The catalytic material is made up of a molecular sieve that has a pre-loaded platinum group metal. The catalytic material and the matrix component are processed together to form the hydroisomerization catalyst. Methods of making these hydroisomerization catalysts include synthesizing a molecular sieve; purifying the molecular sieve; associating the molecular sieve with a platinum group metal in the absence of the matrix component to form the pre-loaded molecular sieve before formation of a catalyst body; mixing the pre-loaded molecular sieve with the matrix component to form a mixture; processing the mixture to form a catalyst body; and drying and calcining the catalyst body to form the hydroisomerization catalyst. These hydroisomerization catalysts can be used to process hydrodeoxygenated plant- or animal-derived feeds to yield a biofuel.