GASOLINE SULFUR REDUCTION IN FLUID CATALYTIC CRACKING

The sulfur content of liquid cracking products of the catalytic cracking process is reduced by the use of a sulfur reduction catalyst composition comprising a porous molecular sieve which contains a metal in an oxidation state above zero with in the interior of the pore structure of the sieve as well as a rare earth componen t which enhances the cracking activity of the cracking catalyst. The molecular sieve is normally a faujasite such as USY. The primary sulfur reduction component is normally a metal of Period 4 of the Periodic Table, preferably vanadium. The preferred rare earth metal is cerium. The sulfur reduction catalyst may be used in the form of a separate particle additive or as a component of an integrated cracking/sulfur reduction catalyst.