alumina sol for FCC catalyst binder

Alumina sol (with an alumina content typically ranging from 10% to 25% and a pH of approximately 2 to 4) is an inorganic binder widely used in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts. Its core function is to provide mechanical strength and wear resistance to the catalyst particles, ensuring the firm binding of components such as molecular sieves and kaolin, and meeting the stringent requirements for particle integrity imposed by the high-speed circulating fluidization of catalysts in FCC units.

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Product Description

Alumina Sol for FCC Catalyst Binder: Al₁₃-Based Inorganic Binder from PUTAI

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) particles are always colliding in FCC units, so the choice of binder is important. The alumina sol for FCC catalyst binder is an inorganic binder based on Al₁₃ aggregates, with alumina content of 10% to 25% and pH of around 2 to 4. It is intended to agglomerate molecular sieves and kaolin into particles that will retain strength and resist wear during circulation at high speeds. Xi’an PUTAI Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. develops and manufactures it with an integrated R&D, manufacturing and sales team, so technical queries go to the people who know the product.

How Alumina Sol Works in FCC Particles?

Alumina sol is a colloidal dispersion of nanometer-sized aluminium oxide particles in a liquid media, most often boehmite or pseudo-boehmite. The particles are positively charged in acidic conditions, which helps to keep them spread. Al 13 aggregates are the major binding species in product.

When the sol dries, surface hydroxyl groups condense, forming a porous inorganic network. Organic binders dissolve beyond 300 °C, but this framework retains its binding strength, and hence is able to bind molecular sieves and kaolin together inside the FCC particle.

Alumina Sol for FCC Catalyst Binder Specifications

The values below come from the technical parameter table for this alumina sol for FCC catalyst binder series. Final specifications depend on the grade you select.

Parameter	Typical Value
Alumina (Al₂O₃) content	10%–25%
pH	Approx. 2–4
Particle size	10–100 nm
Main species	Al₁₃ aggregates
Zeta potential	> +30 mV
Specific surface area	> 100 m²/g
Impurities (Na, Fe, Cl)	< 0.01%
Purity	99.9% variants available

Other parameters, such as viscosity, density, packaging, and shelf life, are not stated in the available data. Please confirm them with PUTAI for your chosen grade before ordering.

Performance in FCC Units

The Al 13 aggregates contain high density of OH on the surface which favours bonding between the molecular sieve and kaolin particles. Patent data reports attrition index values of 2.0–2.5 %·h⁻¹ for particles bound with alumina sol, against 2.5–5.0 %·h⁻¹ for a single peptized pseudo-boehmite system. These should be ballpark values, and you should check with your own attrition testing. The lower the attrition index, the less the pulverisation in circulation, and the fewer fines.

Bond and wear resistance: the inorganic network keeps particles linked together at high speed fluidisation.
Porous structure: the dried network is porous, which helps to limit blocking of active sites.
Impurity control: Levels of Na, Fe and Cl are important in petrochemical service since impurities may poison active sites.

Quality Checks

Zeta potential measurement may be used to test the stability of the sol against agglomeration. X-ray diffraction (XRD) may be used to validate the crystalline phase, and hence verify that no early conversion to alpha-alumina has taken place before fire.

Formulation Considerations

Match sol to your slurry process. Balance alumina content, pH and viscosity against the molecular sieve and kaolin ratio in your formulation for alumina sol for FCC catalyst binder. Higher solids increase density but need careful viscosity control.

Keep the pH low. Stabilizers such as HNO₃, HCl, or acetic acid maintain particle repulsion and aid avoid gelling. A small-scale experiment using your own slurry is the most reliable approach to check the fit.

About PUTAI

Xi'an PUTAI Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. was incorporated in August 2008 and floated in November 2016 (stock code 839410). PUTAI Group concentrates on wastewater treatment and drinking water purification chemicals and has more than 16 years of expertise in water treatment chemical R&D and manufacture.

The company maintains two manufacturing sites of 30,000+ m² and 100,000+ m². With RMB 400 million invested, it distributes coagulants and water treatment chemicals throughout Northwest China, and it also works toward resource recycling and environmental preservation.

Ordering Information

Kindly specify your requirements with: target alumina concentration, pH range, particle size, impurity limitations, purity grade and volume per month. Also please include your packing and shipping demands. The PUTAI staff will check them with the available grades.

FAQ

Q: What is alumina sol?

A: It is a colloidal dispersion of nanometre sized aluminium oxide particles (usually boehmite or pseudo-boehmite) in a liquid media.

Q: What alumina concentration and pH to expect?

A: Alumina concentration is 10-25% and pH is around 2-4. The final requirements are dependent on your grade choice.

Q: Why Al 13 aggregates?

A: The Al 13 aggregates have high surface hydroxyl density, which favours the bonding between the molecular sieve and the kaolin particles.

Q: What attrition index scores are reported?

A: According to patent data, alumina sol bound particles are 2–2.5 %·h⁻¹ and single peptised pseudo-boehmite systems are 2.5–5.0 %·h⁻¹ . Double-check with your own testing.

Q: What is purity?

A: Na, Fe and Cl impurities are less than 0.01%. 99.9% purity variations are available.

Q: What do I need to provide to get a quote?

A: Send your alumina content, pH, particle size, purity and volume requirements to sales@ywputai.com.