This is an article in a review of patents issued in 2016 in the area of Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC).  The summary below covers a single patent relating to FCC catalyst additives; specifically a gasoline sulfur reduction additive.  Last year, when we were reviewing catalyst additive patents for 2015, there were only five: two related to gasoline sulfur reduction catalysts; two related to metals deactivators/traps; and a ZSM-5 additive patent.  At that time, because of the low numbers of patents it was an open question whether there would be a resurgence in these areas.  The answer appears to be that FCC research in additives, at least that for which IP protection is being sought, continues to be low.  Research seems to be shifting more to processes and equipment, and maintaining a position in catalysts.  All of these will be covered in forthcoming articles.

The patent related to catalyst additives is summarized below.  Attached Table 1 lists relevant information on the patent.  Table 2 contains a representative independent claim.

U.S. Patent No. 9,403,155 describes a gasoline sulfur reduction additive containing a porous montmorillonite clay support, where a zirconium compound has been incorporated into the pore structure by ion-exchange to increase surface area.  Zinc has also been impregnated onto the surface of the clay by incipient wetness.  The additive is used in an amount from 10 to 20 wt% of the cracking catalyst.

Table 1: FCC Patents – Catalyst Additives

Patent Number Inventor Assignee Title Issue Date
U.S. 9,403,155 Dean et al. Saudi Arabian Oil Company Catalyst Additive For Reduction Of Sulfur In Catalytically Cracked Gasoline August 2, 2016

 

Table 2: FCC Catalyst Additive

Patent Number Independent Claim
U.S. 9,403,155 Claim 1.  A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) mixture consisting of (i) an FCC catalyst and (ii) separate particles of sulfur reduction additive, said particles of sulfur reduction additive consisting of: a clay support consisting of porous montmorillonite clay; a zirconium component; and zinc, wherein the zirconium component is incorporated into the pore structure of the porous montmorillonite clay support to thereby increase surface area of said clay support and the zinc is impregnated on the surface of the porous montmorillonite clay support.

– William Reid

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