California waste code 161 Spent catalyst from a refinery's fluid cracking unit.

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Based on California Title 22 and DTSC guidance
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Inorganics
Used oil-refinery cracking catalyst

Spent catalyst from a refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit.

Spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst from oil refineries. Catalyst from any other process takes code 162.

Is California code 161 hazardous waste?

Not from the code alone. The material must first be determined hazardous. California code 161 is not restricted, and a restricted code takes priority over it. A non-restricted code doesn't make a waste non-hazardous.

If the shipment needs the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, enter 161 in Item 13 for the waste line. Use one California code, plus any federal RCRA codes when the waste is federally hazardous.

Waste is RCRA waste when it meets a federal listing or characteristic and no federal exclusion applies. Non-RCRA waste is hazardous under California rules only. California presumes hazardous waste is RCRA unless the generator shows it isn't, so keep that determination.

What does California code 161 cover?

This is for hazardous spent catalyst from an oil refinery's fluid catalytic cracking unit. Catalyst chemistry alone doesn't decide it, because the refinery process is part of the description.

Process: Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC)
Rule: Appendix XII(b)
Official wording: 22 CCR division 4.5, chapter 11, Appendix XII(b)

Is spent catalyst California code 161?

Code	When it fits
161	The spent catalyst came from an oil refinery's fluid catalytic cracking unit.
162	A different unit or reaction produced the spent catalyst.

Keep process records that name the unit that used the catalyst. Similar chemistry from another process doesn't make it 161.

Which wastes take California code 161?

Waste	When it’s 161
Spent fluid-cracking catalyst	The catalyst came from a refinery fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Which codes sit beside California code 161?

Code	What it is
133	High-organic water-based liquid
134	Low-organic water-based liquid
135	Other water-based hazardous liquid
141	Unused inorganic material
151	Friable or powdered asbestos
171	Sludge containing listed metals
172	Metal dust and machining waste
181	Other inorganic hazardous solid