Advances in ethylene technology

Conference · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:460714

Picciotti, M ^[1]

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1. Technip, Paris La Defense (France)

Research today focuses on finding the right catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of light hydrocarbons or oxidative dimerization of methane. Recent commercial offerings have been based on dehydration of methanol, with reported total olefin yields above 80%. The economics of methanol-based olefins production will rely primarily on attractively priced feeds or other special situations. Catalytic processes to enhance selectivity in hydrocarbon pyrolysis are also proposed. Other examples are hydropyrolysis and, more recently, shock wave reactor up to FCC type reactor application. Published data and private contributions are briefly presented to give a complete scenario of who is doing what, where, and how. After this bird`s eye scan of the latest announced ethylene technology developments in Europe, CIS, China, Japan, and US, the state of the art in conventional steam cracking is recalled. The evolution of ethylene technological schemes over the years to their current configuration has been slow but progressive, even if some steps backward have occurred here and there. After more than fifty years thermal homogeneous pyrolysis in its shining maturity is the sole process on which the most modern and competitive petrochemical production is based: apparently the only conclusion possible today is that it will stay with us for years to come and will economically satisfy mushrooming ethylene demand, with alternative technologies serving only limited market niches. 50 refs.

• OSTI ID: 460714
• Report Number(s): CONF-970146--; ISBN 1-890277-01-0
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
CATALYSTS
DEHYDRATION
ETHYLENE
METHANOL
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL CRACKING