Quantification of Classified Nickel Species in Spent FFC Catalysts

The paper presents a quick method for the quantification of nickel species in spent FFC catalysts; the quantification of known quantities NiO and $$\hbox{NiAl}_2\hbox{O}_{4}$$ is first done in a matrix of fresh zeolite Y, and then in a complex matrix, similar to the one of a real spent catalyst. The method is carefully checked and the errors in the quantification are critically evaluated. After the validation of the method with known quantities of NiO, well below the law limit for direct re-use, a set of real spent catalysts (representative of a period of 12 months) is analysed.