COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE HYDROTHERMAL STABILITY AND PERFORMANCE OF Y-ZEOLITE BASED FCC CATALYSTS HAVING DIFFERENT INITIAL SI AL RATIO/

The effect of steaming temperature on the structural characteristics ( e.g. unit cell size, crystallinity and Si/Al ratio), surface area, and acidity as well as on performance of two Y-zeolite based FCC catalyst s (coded A and B) having different initial Si/Al ratio was investigate d and compared. The feedstock used was vacuum gas oil from Kuwait Nati onal Petroleum Co. (KNPC). The results of the study showed that cataly st B with a higher initial Si/Al ratio is better than catalyst A in te rms of retaining unit cell size and acidity under hydrothermal conditi ons. Performance test in a microreactor (MAT) revealed that catalyst B was more active for overall conversion. However, catalyst A was more selective for gasoline yield and RON. It also produced less gas and co ke yields than catalyst B.