AM-99-66 LEVERAGING METALS TOLERANT FCC CATALYST TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESID CRACKING OPERATIONS

Description:

FCC cracking operations that process challenging resid- type feedstocks are often faced with the dilemma of managing significant levels of contaminant metals on their FCC catalyst inventory. Of primary concern are vanadium and nickel, which tend to impair catalyst activity and selectivity. Standard practices for higher metals operations include the use of purchased equilibrium catalyst to “flush” contaminant metals, while adding fresh catalyst to maintain a predetermined activity level. This approach often neglects the capabilities of modern catalyst technologies by operating at metals levels below the optimum to counteract the additional contaminants brought in with the used catalyst. New catalyst technologies that incorporate matrix materials that minimize the effects of nickel and vanadium can be used to improve the overall selectivity of a particular unit’s inventory. This can be accomplished while operating at a higher overall metals level than traditional approaches. This paper will examine the selectivity differences between these methods of catalyst management, focusing on the impact of metals tolerant catalyst technologies.