NO.sub.x reduction compositions for use in FCC processes

A fluid cracking catalyst comprising (a) a cracking component suitable for catalyzing the cracking of hydrocarbons, and (b) a NOx reduction component consisting essentially of (i) an acidic oxide support containing at least 50 wt % alumina, (ii) about 1-10 parts by weight of magnesium oxide;

• (iii) at least 1 part by weight of a CeO.sub.2, and (iv) 0.01-5.0 parts by weight total, measured as metal oxide, of a transition metal selected from Group Ib of the Periodic Table, all of said parts by weight being per 100 parts by weight of said acidic oxide support material, said NOx reduction components comprising particles having a particle size of 20-200 .mu.m and being present in the cracking catalyst in a sufficient NOx reducing amount.

A method of reducing NOx emissions in the presence of CO oxidation promoters during fluid cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock into lower molecular weight components, said method comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a cracking catalyst at elevated temperature whereby lower molecular weight hydrocarbon components are formed, said cracking catalyst comprising (a) a cracking component suitable for catalyzing the cracking of hydrocarbons, and (b) a NOx reduction component consisting essentially of (i) an acidic oxide support containing at least 50 wt % alumina, (ii) about 1-10 parts by weigh of magnesium oxide;

• (iii) at least 1 part by weight of a CeO.sub.2, and (iv) 0.01-5.0 parts by weight total, measured as metal oxide, of a transition metal selected from Group IIb of the Periodic Table, all of said parts by weight being per 100 parts by weight of said acidic oxide support material, said NOx reduction components comprising particles having a particle size of 20-200 .mu.m and being present in the cracking catalyst in a sufficient NOx reducing amount.