(82a) Reforming of Jet Fuel Over Molybdenum Dioxide Catalysts

Molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) as catalytic material for the reforming of jet fuel has been investigated in the present work. A thermodynamic analysis was carried out in order to determine the ratio between fuel and air required to obtain a stable performance. Next, the catalytic activity was studied over two MoO₂ catalysts with different surface areas. Fresh and spent samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD and XPS. Surface area and pore volume were measured using liquid nitrogen adsorption. Our results indicate the appearance of a new phase on the catalyst surface during the reaction. This phase seems to be related to the catalytic activity and it appears to be the result of the reduction of pre-existing oxidized species, in agreement with the occurrence of a Mars-van Krevelen-type mechanism of reaction.