The Oleflex process is used to produce polymer-grade propylene from propane.
The complex consists of a reactor section, continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) section, product separation section and fractionation section. Four radial-flow reactors (1) are used to achieve optimum conversion and selectivity for the endothermic reaction. Catalyst activity is maintained by continuously regenerating catalyst (2). Reactor effluent is compressed (3), dried (4) and sent to a cryogenic separation system (5). A net hydrogen stream is recovered at approximately 90 mol% hydrogen purity. The olefin product is sent to a selective hydrogenation process (6) where dienes and acetylenes are removed. The propylene stream goes to a deethanizer (7) where light-ends are removed prior to the propane-propylene splitter (8). Unconverted feedstock is recycled back to the depropanizer (9) where it combines with fresh feed before being sent back to the reactor section.
Yields: Propylene yield from propane is approximately 85 wt% of fresh feed. Hydrogen yield is about 3.6 wt% of fresh feed.
Licensor: UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company
