A potential substitute for CeY zeolite used in fluid catalytic cracking process

• Yttrium modified Y zeolite possesses excellent hydrothermal stability than conventional CeY.
• Yttrium modified Y zeolite exhibits higher heavy oil conversion and light oil selectivity in FCC.
• A substitution for cerium ions is provided as a saving and facile way for Y zeolite modification.

The aim of this paper is to decrease the cerium ions in the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts. Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Zr4+, and Y3+ cationic ions were respectively investigated to be the Ce3+ substitute ions in Y zeolite. The results indicate that Y3+ is an optimum ion compared to other ions. YY zeolite (prepared with Y3+) possesses more Brönsted acid sites and higher hydrothermal stability than that modified with Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Zr4+ ions. The YY has similar acid sites and acidic distribution to the CeY. The higher framework Si/Al ratio and the stronger polarizing effect of the Y(OH)2+ contribute higher hydrothermal stability to the YY zeolite. Catalysts prepared with CuY, ZnY or CoY performed poorly performance for the heavy oil catalytic cracking. However, the catalyst prepared with YY exhibits a much higher conversion and light oil yield than that prepared with CeY. It demonstrates that YY zeolite is a preferable active component for FCC catalyst.

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