ASTM_D_4463_-_D_4463M_-_19.pdf

Designation:D4463/D4463M19Standard Guide forMetals Free Steam Deactivation of Fresh Fluid CrackingCatalysts1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4463/D4463M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the deactivation of fresh fluid cata-lytic cracking(FCC)catalyst by hydrothermal treatment priorto the determination of the catalytic cracking activity in themicroactivity test(MAT)or theAdvanced Cracking Evaluation(ACE)test.1.2 The hydrothermal treatment of fresh FCC catalyst,priorto the MAT or the ACE test,is important because the catalyticactivity of the catalyst in its fresh state is an inadequatemeasure of its true commercial performance.During operationin a commercial cracking unit,the catalyst is deactivated bythermal,hydrothermal,and chemical degradation.Therefore,to maintain catalytic activity,fresh catalyst is added(semi)continuously to the cracking unit,to replace catalyst lostthrough the stack or by withdrawal,or both.Under steady stateconditions,the catalyst inventory of the unit is called equilib-rium catalyst.This catalyst has an activity level substantiallybelow that of fresh catalyst.Therefore,artificially deactivatinga fresh catalyst prior to determination of its cracking activityshould provide more meaningful catalyst performance data.1.3 Due to the large variations in properties among freshFCC catalyst types as well as between commercial crackingunit designs or operating conditions,or both,no single set ofsteam deactivation conditions is adequate to artificially simu-late the equilibrium catalyst for all purposes.1.3.1 In addition,there are many other factors that willinfluence the properties and performance of the equilibriumcatalyst.These include,but are not limited to:deposition ofheavy metals such as Ni,V,and Cu;deposition of light metalssuch as Na;and contamination from attrited refractory liningsof vessel walls.Furthermore,commercially derived equilib-rium catalyst represents a distribution of catalysts of differentages(from fresh to 300 days).Despite these apparentproblems,it is possible to obtain reasonably close agreementbetween the performances of steam deactivated and equilib-rium catalysts.It is also recognized that it is possible to steamdeactivate a catalyst so that its properties and performancepoorly represent the equilibrium.It is therefore recommendedthat when assessing the performance of different catalyst types,a common steaming condition be used.Catalyst deactivationby metals deposition is not addressed in this guide,but isaddressed in Guide D7206/D7206M.1.4 This guide offers two approaches to steam deactivatefresh catalysts.The first part provides specific sets of condi-tions(time,temperature,and steam pressure)that can be usedas general pre-treatments prior to comparison of fresh FCCcatalyst MAT activities(Test Method D3907)or activities plusselectivities(Test Methods D5154 and D7964).1.4.1 The second part provides guidance on how to pretreatcatalysts to simulate their deactivation in a specific FCCU andsuggests catalyst properties which can be used to judgeadequacy of the simulation.This technique is especially usefulwhen examining how different types of catalyst may perform ina specific FCCU,provided no other changes(catalyst additionrate,regenerator temperature,contaminant metals levels,etc.)occur.This approach covers catalyst physical properties thatcan be used as monitors to indicate the closeness to equilibriumcatalyst properties.1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system are not necessarily exact equivalents;therefore,toensure conformance with the standard,each system shall beused independently of the other,and values from the twosystems shall not be combined.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D32 on Catalysts andis the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D32.04 on Catalytic Properties.Current edition approved April 1,2019.Published April 2019.Originallyapproved in 1985.Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4463/D4463M96(2013)1.DOI:10.1520/D4463_D4463M