Abstract: Based on the recent reports, this review encapsulates the advances in the research， development and industrial application of catalytic cracking additives in the past decade. These additives include heavy oil additives, metal passivators, octane number additives, propylene and butylene additives, flue gas desulfurization and denitrification additives, as well as CO combustion promoters. Particular emphasis is placed on the additive technologies pioneered by SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing in the fields of heavy oil conversion, gasoline quality upgrading, increased production of low carbon olefins, pollutant emission reduction, operation optimization. The review comprehensively discusses the reaction mechanism, development, characterization, commercial application and technical and economic analysis of the catalytic additives, and highlights the future development direction, which provides new insights into how the catalytic cracking units to flexibly adapt to changes or needs in raw materials, markets and environmental protection.

Key words: catalytic cracking, additive, research progress