Compositions and processes for reducing nox emissions during fluid catalytic cracking

Abstract

Compositions for reduction of NOgenerated during a catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst composition, preferably containing a Y-type zeolite, and a NOreducing zeolite having a pore size ranging from about 2 to about 7.2 Angstroms and a SiOto AlOmolar ratio of less than about 500 and being stabilized with a metal or metal ion selected from the group consisting of zinc, iron and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the NOreducing zeolite particles are bound with an inorganic binder to form a particulate composition. In the alternative, the NOreducing zeolite particles are incorporated into the cracking catalyst as an integral component of the catalyst. Compositions in accordance with the invention exhibit improved effectiveness for the reduction of NOemissions released from the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking unit operating under FCC process conditions without a substantial change in conversion or yield of cracked products. Processes for the use of the compositions are also disclosed.