TransPlussm is ExxonMobil's toluene/C9+ aromatics transalkylation technology which was co-developed with the Chinese Petroleum Corporation (CPC) of Taiwan. The first industrial unit was put on stream in June 1997 in CPC’s petrochemical plant in Lin-yuan where an existing transalkylation unit was retrofitted with the TransPlussm process.
The TransPlussmprocess utilizes a proprietary catalyst that has superior yield performance. This is achieved with a careful catalyst design that maximizes desirable reactions such as disproportionation, transalkylation and dealkylation and minimizes undesirable side reactions. In addition, TransPlussm has the advantage of low capital and operating costs due to more favorable operating conditions relative to competitor processes, which result from the more robust nature of the catalyst.
Feedstock flexibility Long cycle length
Benzene co-product purity
Low H2/HC mole ratio and higher weight hourly space velocity
Considering the structure of present and future aromatics plants, TransPlussm is due to take a growing share of the C8 aromatics production to feed the xylenes loop. TransPlussm performance and versatility shall definitely be a key to competitive plant operation.
