A three-dimensional view of structural changes caused by deactivation of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts.

ABSTRACT: Since its commercial introduction three-quarters of a century ago, fluid catalytic cracking has been one of the most important conversion processes in the petroleum industry. In this process, porous composites composed of zeolite and clay crack the heavy fractions in crude oil into transportation fuel and petrochemical feedstocks. Yet, over time the catalytic activity of these composite particles decreases. Here, we report on ptychographic tomography, diffraction, and fluorescence tomography, as well as electron microscopy measurements, which elucidate the structural changes that lead to catalyst deactivation. In combination, these measurements reveal zeolite amorphization and distinct structural changes on the particle exterior as the driving forces behind catalyst deactivation. Amorphiza

SUBMITTER: Ihli J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5634498 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature