Abstract: An improved process for ion-exchanging sodium ions in particles containing sodium form zeolite crystals and sodium silicate. The process involves an initial ion-exchange at pH about 4.5 to 5.0 with an ammonium salt followed by exchange with an ammonium salt at about pH 2.0 to 3.5. Cracking catalysts having improved cracking activity are produced.

Abstract: An improved heat balanced hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed of the type employing circulating solids between a riser reactor (contactor) and regenerator (combustor). The ratio of circulating solid to hydrocarbon feed (C/O or cat-oil ratio) is increased by: directly cooling a portion of hot freshly regenerated contact material; passing a portion of hot regenerated material into the steam stripper; cooling hot regenerated contact material and charging it to the riser downstream of charging uncooled hot regenerated material which charging hydrocarbon feed to the bese of the riser along with lift gas or steam; or lifting hot regenerated contact material by a carbonizable lift gas into the riser before contacting it with hydrocarbon feed which is injected higher in the riser.

Abstract: Co-product fines from the manufacture of zeolitic cracking catalysts from microspheres of calcined clay have heretofore been discarded as a waste stream. These fines, recovered as a moist cake, are slurried in a sodium silicate solution, spray dried to form microspheres and ion-exchanged initially at high pH and then at lower pH to produce attrition-resistant cracking catalysts which produce low levels of coke during use.