Metal Trapping Materials for use in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)

Johnson Matthey is seeking research proposals related to the trapping of feed metal contaminants in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC). The team is interested in project proposals or solutions that improve the trapping of iron and vanadium metals during FCC operation. Johnson Matthey is looking for research and technologies that have a proof of concept, with potential to be tested and scaled to meet their needs.

Approaches of interest:

• Materials with highly efficient/stable trapping capabilities for iron and vanadium under high temperatures and steam 
• Functional and deactivation mechanisms of metal trapping materials under FCC conditions

Requirements:

• Metal trap materials must be stable in FCC conditions i.e., in 700-750°C range and in the presence of steam (10-15%) 
• Formulations that can be converted to spray dried powders suitable for FCC applications
• Metal trap materials must trap Vanadium and Iron (feed contaminants) several times (>5) more effectively than the FCC base catalysts (typically zeolite Y) 
• Metal trap materials must have tolerance to sulphur oxides
• Proposed solutions must be economically scalable for industrial applications

Preferred:

• Establish deactivation mechanisms of metal trapping materials for vanadium 
• Prepared from readily available or easily procured materials 
• Trapping of nickel and other rare contaminants is also of interest, but iron and vanadium are the priority
• Applicants with powder/slurry synthesis capabilities. Access to spray drying and testing under relevant conditions is an advantage

Collaboration opportunity: Johnson Matthey will offer as a minimum in-kind contribution by participating and directing any proposed activities. Funding will be made available for the most attractive proposals. Access to Johnson Matthey’s world-leading capabilities in materials characterisation and testing may also be negotiated. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis as per criteria in the essential information. Johnson Matthey is open to ongoing partnership and expects collaboration to result in patents and publications as appropriate. 

Submission Information: Applicants should complete the application form which should contain a brief, non‑confidential overview of your proposal, demonstrating how the RFP requirements are satisfied by your approach. Proposals should outline the resources required to solve the problem. To submit your proposal, please visit our website at discover.in-part.com, register, and submit your application form under the appropriate Discover campaign.