Catalytic SOx abatement: the role of magnesium aluminate spinel in the removal of SOx from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) flue gas

A cerium-containing magnesium aluminate spinel catalyst is used as a SO/sub x/ emission reducing catalyst in the hydrocarbon cracking catalyst regeneration zone. In the regeneration zone, this catalyst oxidizes the SO/sub 2/ to SO/sub 3/, chemisorbs it as sulfate, and releases it as H/sub 2/S when it enters the reactor zone. All FCC units are equipped to handle the H/sub 2/S that comes out of the reactor. This paper discusses some of the materials, such as the cerium-containing spinels, that were examined as potential SO/sub x/ catalysts for FCC units and how they were tested for their ability to remove SO/sub x/ under conditions prevalent in modern FCC units.