Kinetics of combustion of carbon in carbonaceous deposits on zeolite catalysts for fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU). Comparison between Pt and non Pt-containing catalysts

The combustion kinetics of carbon in carbonaceous deposits, or 'coke', on fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) zeolite catalysts was studied under differential reactor conditions, in an air stream, at atmospheric pressure, and in a temperature range of 550-710 degrees C. Catalysts with and without Pt were first coked and then subsequently regenerated. Although platinum catalyzes the conversion of CO to CO2, experimental findings revealed the lack of any catalytic effect of Pt on carbon burning rates. Experiments were also conducted with an equilibrium catalyst from a commercial FCC unit. This catalyst exhibited higher burning rates than catalysts containing coke deposited in a laboratory reactor. It is believed, however, that the higher burning rate is due to the high metal content of heavy metals like V and Ni. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.