Al ion-exchanged USY in FCC catalyst for high LPG yield

Refineries, especially fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units are required to increase propylene production because of changing demand from fuels to chemicals in recent years. We have found a promising FCC catalyst for such demand. The FCC catalyst with Al ion-exchanged USY zeolite (catalyst (Al)) has indicated the higher LPG yield without decreasing in the activity. The catalyst (Al) would be suppressing hydrogen transfer reactions between products or intermediates. Moreover, the olefins in the gasoline would be over-cracked to LPG over catalyst (Al) because of strong acidity of Al ion-exchanged USY. [Display omitted] •Al ion-exchanged USY is promising for increasing LPG in FCC process.•Al ion-exchanged USY in FCC catalyst shows high LPG selectivity in VGO cracking.•Hydrogen transfer reaction is supressed over Al ion-exchanged USY.•High LPG selectivity of Al ion-exchanged USY is caused by cracking gasoline olefins.•Exchanged Al cations in USY have tow contradictory effects on catalyst properties.