Catalytic SOX abatement of FCC flue gases

A cerium containing magnesium aluminate spinel catalyst is used as a SOX 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/ and 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 will discuss some of the materials, such as the cerium containing spinels, that were examined as potential SOX catalysts for FCC units and how they were tested for their ability to remove SOX under conditions prevalent in modern FCC units.