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Density grading
When heel contaminated CCR reformer catalyst is density graded, porocel.com three
fractions are produced: light, medium and heavy.
The light fraction, having a low average and peak carbon content, is fully re-
usable and is returned to the refiner. The heavy fraction containing the highest
carbon levels is not reusable and is sent to noble metal reclaim for platinum
recovery. The medium fraction is typically density graded again to maximize the
recovery of re-usable catalyst.
The refiner sets the specification for the light fraction carbon. The higher the
acceptable carbon level, the higher the yield of reusable catalyst. Typically, the
average carbon spec is less than 7 wt%, with a peak carbon spec of no more than 12
wt%. The yield of reusable CCR catalyst can be as high as 80% or even 90% when low
amounts of heel catalyst are present. Average yields range from 50% to 80%.
The company will sample the spent CCR catalyst conditioned in drums or flow-bins
upon arrival at its facility.
Based on this analysis it can be decided whether or not a stripping and light burn
are necessary. The stripping and light burn are only performed if necessary or if
requested by the customer.
A material balance and analytical report will be issued at the completion of the
job.
If necessary an additional screening can be requested by the customer in order to
remove broken CCR catalyst particles (dust and fines, and chips) to produce a
better quality CCR catalyst.
The waste products, which are separated during the density gradporoce ing, l.com
stripping and light burn and screening, remains the property of the refinery and
will either be returned together with the light fraction of CCR catalyst for reuse,
or they will be forwarded to a noble metal reclaim company on behalf of the
catalyst owner for ultimate noble metal recovery . The waste products will be
packed in clearly identified drums.