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Low and zero rare-earth FCC catalysts

Rare-earth metals are an important component of FCC catalysts, as well as being a key raw material for many strategic industries with applications ranging from military devices to electronic components. In addition, they are essential constituents in newly evolving green technologies, such as hybrid cars and wind turbines. Rather ironically, rare-earth metals are not so rare, however they tend to be concentrated in hard to extract ore deposits. As a result, the world’s supply comes from only a few sources; China alone accounts for 95% of the world’s rare-earth metal output. Recent export quota restrictions on rare-earth metals from China have caused the price of rare-earth metals to rapidly rise.

Grace Davison has a long history of providing innovation in the development of FCC catalysts, including the addition of rare-earth metals to stabilize the zeolite Y component of the FCC catalyst, which was revolutionaryfor catalytic cracking. As the only FCC supplier with flexible manufacturing platforms, Grace also has a successful history of developing rare-earth free FCC catalysts. We introduced new zeolite components that enhanced gasoline octane in the 1990’s, delivering activity and stability without the use of rare earth. Later in the 1990’s Grace developed Z-21, a rare-earth free stabilized zeolite Y. Based on this new technology the NEXUS® catalyst family was commercialised in 1997, as a rare-earth free catalyst family for low-metal feed applications. The NEXUS® catalyst has since been used in 10 applications.

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W. R. Grace & Co

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Low and zero rare-earth FCC catalysts

Rare-earth metals are an important component of FCC catalysts, as well as being a key raw material for many strategic industries with applications ranging from military devices to electronic components. In addition, they are essential constituents in newly evolving green technologies, such as hybrid ...
Improve contaminant metals flushing with TITAN™

The escalating price of rare earth in fluid cracking catalyst sparked increased demand from refiners for equilibrium catalyst (Ecat) as a means to control expenses. During this same period, the available supply of high quality, low metals Ecat had decreased. In response to the shrinking supply of Ecat, ...
FCC technical support, industry-leading service

Grace technical service engineers regularly visit refineries to review unit operating data, evaluate catalyst management and unit performance, as well as provide specific recommendations to optimise unit operation. Grace can provide expert advice on operational problems concerned with the mechanical ...
NADIUS™ 4G

NADIUS™ 4G is the latest generation of Grace’s market-leading NADIUS™ catalyst family for hydrotreated and straight-run VGO feed applications. NADIUS™ 4G, an extension of the NADIUS™ catalyst family, is a component of the EnhanceR™ technology platform, which is the ...
NEKTOR™ 4G

NEKTOR™4G is the latest generation of Grace’s marketleading low coke NEKTOR™ for residue FCC feed applications. NEKTOR™ 4G is manufactured using the Grace EnhanceR™ Technology Platform, and is an extension of the NEKTOR™ catalyst family, which is the market leader ...
ProtAgon™ 4G

ProtAgon™ 4G is the latest generation of Grace’s propylene maximization technology. Propylene yields of over 12wt% have been achieved with this catalyst technology. ProtAgon™ 4G is manufactured using the Grace EnhanceR™ Technology Platform, and is an extension of the ProtAgon ...
ResidCrackeR™ 4G

ResidCrackeR™ 4G is the latest generation of Grace’s coke selective bottoms cracking ResidCrackeR™ catalyst family for residue FCC feed applications. ResidCrackeR™ 4G is an extension of the ResidCrackeR™ catalyst family, a component of the EnhanceR™ technology platform, ...
ACHIEVE® FCC Catalysts

Grace is expanding its portfolio of catalysts to address the current market challenges, in particular to lower slurry yield to take advantage of distillate crack spreads as well as to address the trend towards increased residue and opportunity crude processing. Grace has developed new technologies through ...
RIVE® FCC Catalysts

RIVE® FCC catalyst represents the first and only use of ordered mesoporosity in FCC zeolites or catalysts, and is capable of providing a step change in value for many FCC operations. The result: enhanced diffusion of hydrocarbons both into and out of the catalyst particle. This adds options to process ...