Honeywell announced that Zibo Qixiang Tengda Chemical (QXTD) will use its UOP C3 Oleflex technology to expand production of propylene in response to growing demand for propylene derivatives. Honeywell UOP also will provide licensing, the process design package, proprietary and non-proprietary equipment, on-site operator training, technical services for start-up and continuing operation, catalysts and adsorbents for the project.

QXTD currently operates an existing C3/C4 Oleflex unit that coverts propane and isobutane into propylene and isobutylene. With the second C3 Oleflex unit, QXTD will produce additional quantities of polymer-grade propylene to make propylene oxide, a key ingredient for polyurethanes. Increased demand for polyurethane foam comes from the automotive, building and construction, textiles and furnishing industries.

“Customers, including QXTD, have been at the forefront of addressing the growing demand for propylene, which is the primary component in thousands of consumer products,” said Bryan Glover, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP’s petrochemicals and refining technologies business. “This expansion in propylene capacity establishes QXTD as a major supplier while also diversifying its product portfolio.”

Globally, most new dehydrogenation projects since 2011 have been based on UOP technology, including projects for propane (C3), isobutane (iC4) and mixed C3/iC4 service. Global production capacity of propylene from Oleflex technology currently stands at approximately 7.8 million metric tonnes per year.

Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex technology uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene and is designed to have a lower cash cost of production and higher return on investment among competing technologies. Its low energy consumption, low emissions and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system helps minimise its impact on the environment. The independent reaction and regeneration sections enable steady-state operations, improved operating flexibility, and a high on-stream factor and reliability.

Based in Zibo, in China’s Shandong Province, QXTD researches, develops, produces, and markets various chemical products in China. It manufactures and distributes propylene, isobutylene, tert-butanol, butadiene rubber, carboxylated styrene butadiene, latex and other petrochemicals. The company exports to the United States, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and India, and is a subsidiary of Zibo Qixiang Petrochemical Industry Group Co.

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