My question relates to the minimum MAT activity that can be reached in an FCC unit. The main objective in one of our FCC units is maximum middles distillates, and we run this unit at very low severity. The MAT activity of the e-cat is 54-55%wt, with some punctual values of 52-53%wt.
We would like to decrease e-cat activity even further, but we have some concerns and doubts about potential problems that could arise, like definitive loss of cracking activity, significant increase in bottoms production, etc.
Has anyone experience running and FCC unit at MAT activity below 52-53%wt? What problems could appear with so low MAT activity?