Effect of Rh-based additives on NO and CO formed during regeneration of spent FCC catalyst

Regeneration studies of spent FCC catalyst were performed in a bench-scale unit under reaction conditions that sufficiently simulate those in the regenerator of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit. The effect of a conventional Pt-based CO promoter (CP-3®) on the composition of flue gases was examined. As expected addition of CP-3® in the catalytic inventory decreased CO emissions by one order of magnitude, but tripled the NO emissions independently of the concentration of CO promoter used. Addition of a series of Rh-based catalysts modified the composition of flue gases emitted during regeneration. The parameters under study were the catalytic support, the Rh loading on the additive, and the amount of additive used during regeneration. Both a stoichiometric spinel MgO·Al2O3 of high crystallinity and a commercial alumina were competent supports. Promotion of the alumina support with Ce or performing regeneration introducing CO did not affect the additive performance significantly. A combined performance of CO oxidation and NO reduction was achieved minimizing both the Rh loading in the additive (0.1 wt.%) and the concentration of additive used during regeneration (1 wt.%). IR studies suggest that NO reduction by CO over Rh/alumina additives proceeds via the dissociative adsorption of NO, the formation of NCO species on Rh and their migration to the alumina support to finally yield N2 and CO2.