Isomalk-3 and Isomalk-3R Technologies for Production of Individual Light Paraffins as the Feed for Petrochemical Facilities

Abstract

The article discusses the new environmentally friendly catalytic technologies for processing butane cut, developed by SIE Neftehim LLC, giving wide opportunities for involving LPG in production of commercial value-added products. Development of petrochemical industry has created a demand for technologies and catalysts that enhance the economic efficiency of petrochemical products’ manufacturing and expand the feed base of petrochemical facilities without involving primary processing feeds. As the environmentally safe and economically effective solution, SIE Neftehim, LLC offers Isomalk-3 technology to produce maximum amount of isobutane, and Isomalk-3R technology to produce maximum amount of n-butane from isobutane cut. Application of Isomalk-3R technology expands the feed base for ethylene production due to isomerization of isobutane by-product to n-butane. N-butane is a valuable feed for pyrolysis units, providing high yields of ethylene, propylene, and n-butene used for polymer production. In turn, obtaining additional amounts of isobutane is possible due to application of n-butane to isobutane catalytic isomerization technology Isomalk-3. Isobutane cut produced in Isomalk-3 technology is notable for its high purity: the isobutane content may exceed 99 wt.%, it has no sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine, and oxygen impurities. Isobutane is in demand as the feed for production of alkylate, butyl rubber, oxygenates (MTBE and ETBE), isooctane. Isomalk-3 and Isomalk-3R processes do not require injection of chlorinating reagents, and the highly active catalytic system is resistant to poisons and impurities. Isomalk-3 and Isomalk-3R process designs are very similar, which allows integrating two units into one for alternate production of n-butane and isobutane.