In-situ diffuse reflective infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) study on Ni passivation in FCC catalysts from boron-based technology

Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is a crucial refining process supplying majority of gasoline used worldwide as well as other key building blocks for chemical industry. Nickel, a contaminant in crude oil, deposits on FCC catalysts and induces unwanted dehydrogenation reactions, inhibiting the FCC unit from reaching optimal operation. We describe a new spectroscopic methodology to characterize the impact of boron interaction on nickel in FCC catalysts through a trend analysis of CO DRIFTS for FCC catalysts from boron-based technology. Results obtained by the new method provide direct spectroscopic evidence of boron effect on nickel passivation by decreasing reducibility of nickel.

Automated summary

Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is a crucial refining process that provides the majority of gasoline and key building blocks for the chemical industry worldwide. Nickel, a contaminant in crude oil, can inhibit optimal operation of the FCC unit by inducing unwanted dehydrogenation reactions. A new spectroscopic methodology has been developed to characterize the impact of boron interaction on nickel in FCC catalysts, showing that boron can passivate nickel by decreasing its reducibility.