EVALUACIÓN Y CARACTERIZACIÓN DEL CATALIZADOR DEL PROCESO DE CRAQUEO CATALÍTICO FLUIDIZADO (FCC)

Abstract

A study of the catalyst used in the fluidized catalytic cracking process unit in the State Esmeraldas Refinery through physicochemical analysis employing specialized procedures, in order to subsequently assess the degree of contamination during a six week period. For this purpose, samples were obtained of the following: gasoil that enters the unit, fresh catalyst from the hopper (F-V1) sampling port, catalyst in equilibrium state from the hopper (F-V2) sampling port, and regenerated catalyst from the hopper (F-V3) sampling port. Also determined were the content of alkaline and heavy metals in the gasoil and in the catalyst samples, their physicochemical properties, and the quantity of coke present. The surface area (BET) of the catalyst was also quantified. From the results it can be seen that the fresh catalyst is partially sintered with an 80% decrease in surface area (BET), compared to the regenerated catalyst.