Aluminosilicates supported La-containing sulfur reduction additives for FCC catalyst: Correlation between activity, support structure and acidity

Abstract Mesoporous silica oxides MCM-41, SBA-15 and SBA-16 were synthesized and modified to form aluminosilicates with Al/Si atomic ratio of 1/400. In order to improve thermal and mechanical stability the alumina phase was intercalated. The resulted Al-MCM-41/Al 2 O 3 , Al-SBA-15/Al 2 O 3 , Al-SBA-16/Al 2 O 3 supports were impregnated with 5% lanthanum and tested as sulfur reduction additives to equilibrium microspherical zeolite–containing cracking catalyst (e-cat). The well-ordered pore arrangement and incorporation of alumina atoms into mesoporous framework were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 27 Al solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance ( MAS NMR) spectroscopy. To compare the sulfur reduction activity with respect to the nature of the support, the textural properties and acidity were studied by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption (N 2 adsorption/desorption) and temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH 3 -TPD) techniques. Catalytic cracking of vacuum gas oil (VGO) over e-cat mixed with mesoporous supported La additives (10 wt%) synthesized was carried out on a micro activity testing (MAT) laboratory unit at 500 °C and catalyst/feedstock weight ratio of 3.4 to compare the morphology of mesoporous structure and sulfur reduction activity. In order to assess the support effect on catalytic performance a comparative study of La/Al 2 O 3 and mesoporous La supported additives was carried out. Hydrothermal stability of additives was also studied by means of steaming procedure at the temperature of 700 °C (100% steam) for 2 h.