Maximizing High Value Light Products by Catalytic Cracking of VGO Produced by Iraqi Refinery over Formulated FCC Catalyst

Abstract:

Prototype of FCC catalyst were formulated by mixing the stabilised Y zeolites (68wt%) with polyvinal alcohol (PVA) (7%) as a solution binder and bentonite (25%). The Y zeolite including the original HY with Si/Al of 2.6 (cat.-2.6) and dealuminated HY with Si/Al of 30 (cat.-30) were used and tested for catalytic cracking of Iraqi vacuum gas oil (VGO) obtained from Al-Dura refinery using a pilot plant. The cracking process was carried out at a temperature of 520 °C and atmospheric pressure, The weight ratio of catalyst / oil ratio was 3 and 5. The results show that higher conversion of 77 wt. % and better product distribution (gasoline, kerosene and gas oil) could be obtained over cat.30 resulting to a good liquid product yield. The catalytic activity, in terms of VGO conversion was not affected over cat.-30 in spite of its lower acidity, suggesting the determinate of mesoporosity in the Y zeolite (cat.-30) catalysed cracking reactions. A higher yield of ~ 67 wt% to mid-distillates (i.e.Naphtha and kerosene) was as a result of the improvements in the diffusion to and from catalyst structure.

• Periodical: Engineering Chemistry (Volume 4)
• Pages: 7-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-kL6QSL
• Online since: August 2023
• Authors: Samer G. Abdulridha*, Ali J. Radhi, Marwa N. Abbas, Amal K. Shehab, Wisam M. Aluaibi
• Keywords: Catalytic Cracking, Mesoporosity, VGO, Y Zeolite

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