UOP Oleflex Process For Propylene Production: Petrochemical

UOP OleflexTM Process for Propylene Production
Petrochemical
Petrochemical
Introduction not coupled with a demand for those byproducts, a
The UOP Oleflex process is a catalytic dehydrogena- supply/demand imbalance can occur. The Oleflex
tion technology for the production of light olefins process provides petrochemical producers with a
from their corresponding paraffins. One specific catalytic, on-purpose means of making propylene
application of this technology produces propylene independent of the demand for gasoline and
from propane. Propylene is the word’s second ethylene.
largest petrochemical commodity and is used in the The Oleflex process provides producers with a
production of polypropylene, acrylonitrile, acrylic high-quality propylene, which then leads to high-
acid, acrolein, propylene oxide and glycols, plasticizer quality polymers.
oxo alcohols, cumene, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone. This process
The growth in propylene production is primarily consumes less
driven by the industry demand for polypropylene, polymerization
which is used in such everyday products as packaging catalyst
materials and outdoor clothing. The growth rate of because of
polypropylene is expected to be 5% per year for the fewer impurities
near future. The Oleflex process provides: in the propylene
A dedicated source of propylene supply for product and
downstream use. has the potential
to be integrated
Increased control over long-term propylene costs.
with existing
High-quality propylene production, which leads downstream
to high-quality polymers. technology.
Potential for process integration with downstream
technology. Description
Continuous on-stream production of propylene. The UOP
Oleflex process
In addition, the Oleflex process utilizes UOP’s
is separated into three different sections: the reactor
proprietary equipment and systems for optimal
section, the product recovery section, and the cata-
operations, including PSA PolybedTM units, modular
lyst regeneration section.
CCR, UOP lock hopper control, MDTM distillation
trays, High-FluxTM tubes, and process instrumenta- The reactor section of the Oleflex process consists of
tion controls (PIC). Integration of these products four radial-flow reactors, charge and interstage
within the Oleflex process results in significant heaters, and a reactor feed-effluent heat exchanger.
capital and operating cost savings for the complex In the product recovery section, the reactor effluent
and provides an overall guarantee for the Oleflex is cooled, compressed, dried, and sent to a cryogenic
process and products. With the use of CCR catalyst system to separate hydrogen from hydrocarbon. The
regeneration, the processing unit does not have to net gas is recovered at 85 to 93 mol-% hydrogen
be shut down to change out the catalyst. purity. Separator liquid is sent to a selective hydro-
genation unit to eliminate diolefins and acetylenes.
Applications Then the liquid goes to a deethanizer and propane-
The majority of propylene is produced as a byproduct propylene (P-P) splitter to produce a chemical or
of petroleum refineries (FCC/RCC) and olefin plant polymer-grade propylene product. Unconverted
steam crackers. As a result, most propylene is a propane is recycled to the reactor section.
byproduct of other products, specifically gasoline
The selective diolefin and acetylene hydrogenation
and ethylene. However, when production capacity is
step is accomplished with the Hüls SHP process
UOP Oleflex Process for Propylene Production 2
licensed by UOP. The catalyst regeneration section Catalyst

burns coke off the catalyst and returns it to fresh The Olexflex process uses a platinum catalyst to
activity. promote the dehydrogenation reaction. The DeH-14
catalyst, introducted in 2001, represents the fifth
Feedstock
generation of catalyst. Not only does the DeH-14
The feedstock to a C3 Oleflex process unit is maintain the high activity and selectivity and low
propane. Propane is recovered from propane-rich attrition rates required for the dehydrogenation
LPG streams from gas plants. Propane is also process, it also has lower platinum investment than
available in smaller quantities as a byproduct from earlier catalysts.
such refinery operations as hydrocracking, fluidized
catalytic cracking (FCC) and (RCC)* resid catalytic Commercial Experience
cracking units. The Oleflex process was first commercialized in
C3 Oleflex Complex 1990. Currently five propane units and one mixed
C2- propane/isobutane unit produce more than 1,250,000
MTA of propylene. In addition there are five isobu-
Net Gas H2 De-ethanizer
tane units that have been commissioned.
Propylene
Oleflex SHP
For more information
Depropanizer For more information, contact your local UOP
representative or our Des Plaines sales office:
Propane
Feed P-P Splitter
e-mail: [email protected]
fax: +1-847-391-2253
C4+ phone: +1-847-391-2000
C3 Oleflex Process
Reactor Section CCR Section Product Separation Section
Turbo
Expander
C
C
R
Rx Effluent
Compressor
Dryer
Heaters
To Propylene
H2 Recycle Recovery
Fresh and Net Separator

Recycle Feed Offgas
UOP LLC
25 East Algonquin Road
© 2007 UOP LLC. All rights reserved.
Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017 The information in this document should not be construed as a representation for
which UOP assumes legal responsibility, or an authorization or recommendation
U.S.A. to practice a patented invention without a license.
www.uop.com UOP 4522-2 0907

UOP Oleflex Process For Propylene Production: Petrochemical

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UOP Oleflex Process For Propylene Production: Petrochemical

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

UOP Oleflex Process For Propylene Production: Petrochemical

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UOP OleflexTM Process for Propylene Production

licensed by UOP. The catalyst regeneration section Catalyst

Fresh and Net Separator

You might also like