Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical Co., Ltd. (ZPC) has selected Lummus Technology to license its CATOFIN™ propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology for a new unit in Zhejiang Province, China.
The facility will have a capacity of 1.2 million metric tons per year and will be the largest licensed PDH unit in the world. The project will allow ZPC to transform propane into propylene for the manufacture of higher-value petrochemical derivatives.
ZPC Commits to a Large-Scale PDH Unit
The new capacity will allow ZPC to strengthen its propylene production as expansions of its refining operations progress. These expansions will provide additional propane feedstock to fuel the dehydrogenation process.
PDH directly converts propane into propylene. The latter constitutes an essential feedstock for petrochemical chains associated with products such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile, and propylene oxide.
Due to its scale, the unit also reflects the trend toward larger capacity facilities designed to meet propylene demand.
Romain Lemoine, Chief Commercial Officer of Lummus Technology, linked ZPC’s decision to the performance of CATOFIN and the existing relationship between the two companies. According to the executive, the technology has an operating track record that meets or exceeds design capacities.
CATOFIN Technology for Propylene Production
Furthermore, CATOFIN combines process technology developed by Lummus with advanced catalytic systems supplied through its collaboration with Clariant.
The solution is geared toward obtaining high propylene yields while maintaining operational reliability and cost efficiency. Lummus maintains that several recently commissioned large-scale CATOFIN units have met or exceeded their performance targets and process guarantees.
Likewise, ZPC’s selection expands the presence of this technology in international large-capacity propane dehydrogenation projects.
ZPC Expands Its Technological Relationship with Lummus
The award represents a new chapter in the relationship between the two companies. ZPC and its subsidiaries had already acquired licenses for Lummus technologies such as CDAlky®, ISOCRACKING, DPC, and butadiene extraction processes.
However, this will be the first time ZPC employs Lummus’ PDH technology. The Chinese company had previously used an alternative propane dehydrogenation process.
The choice thus incorporates CATOFIN into a petrochemical infrastructure where ZPC already utilizes other solutions developed by Lummus.
Propylene to Feed Petrochemical Derivatives
In addition, the propylene obtained in Zhejiang will be used to support the manufacture of higher-value petrochemical products. The additional availability of propane from refinery expansions will allow that feedstock to be connected to the new PDH capacity.
This integration offers ZPC a direct route to transform propane into a key feedstock for numerous chemical chains.
Lummus Technology develops and licenses technologies for clean fuels, petrochemicals, polymers, gas processing, and renewable energies. Its portfolio also includes proprietary equipment, formulations, life-cycle services, and digital solutions.
With the new 1.2 million ton-per-year unit, ZPC will take the application of CATOFIN to a higher scale and expand its capacity to supply propylene to its petrochemical operations in China.
Source: Lummus Technology
Photo: Shutterstock
