Effect of zeolite, kaolin and alumina during cracking of heavy petroleum residue evaluated by thermogravimetry

This work evaluates the effect of the FCC catalyst components—Y zeolite, kaolin and alumina—on the formation of coke during the cracking of heavy residue (HR) of petroleum. The Y zeolite, kaolin and alumina were mixed with a HR at a ratio of approximately 1:4. The effect was studied using dynamic thermogravimetry at a heating rate of 50 K min⁻¹, with N₂ (between 35 and 700 °C) and air (in the 700–1,000 °C temperature range). The HR analyzed in these conditions formed 8.1% of coke. All the mixtures presented larger coke formation than that observed in pure HR. The Y zeolite presented fourfold larger coke formation, while kaolin and alumina showed twofold higher formation than pure HR. The major focus of this study was to verify the sensitivity of the TG technique in providing information about coke formation in the fluid catalytic process of refineries.