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Olefins Selective Hydrogenation

Selective hydrogenation is the best technology when it comes to purifying highly valuable olefin and aromatic streams produced by steam crackers and FCC units.

To achieve high level performances and increase profitability, Axens offers a dedicated catalyst family to be associated with Axens expertise on hydrogenation processes: the SeLene™ catalyst family, resulting from more than 50 years of powerful innovation.

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In addition to containing up to 90% ethylene, steam cracker C2 cuts have from 0.5 to 3% acetylene. This highly unsaturated compound is undesirable in both chemical- and polymer-grade ethylene. The most elegant way to remove acetylene is via hydrogenation to ethylene. 

Catalysts & Grading Materials

Catalysts

Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts

High-performance selective hydrogenation catalysts dedicated to the petrochemical and refining industries, to purify highly valuable olefinic and aromatic streams produced by steam crackers and FCC units.

Adsorbents

Adsorbents

Arsine Removal Adsorbents

The poisonous effects of arsine and other metal hydrides on hydrogenation and polymerization catalysts is well documented. By far the most common, arsine can seriously deactivate the high-activity Ziegler Natta, metallocene and noble metal catalysts used for processing cracked light ends.

Adsorbents

Drying Series Adsorbents

Water removal applications are widely encountered in the industry sector. Activated alumina and molecular sieves stand at the forefront of the several different materials available on the market.

Adsorbents

Mercury Removal Adsorbents

Mercury removal from hydrocarbons is crucial due to HSE-related issues, corrosion problems and downstream catalyst poisoning.

Consulting, Supply & Support

Consulting, Studies & Audits

Axens offers a customized approach, including tailored studies, audits and consulting services, covering technical and operational challenges.

Technical Support & Performance Management

Axens is fully committed to be your partner and provide assistance and support during your project lifecycle, from conception to start-up & running operations.

Process Technologies

C₃ liquid-phase hydrogenation

Propylene cuts produced from steam cracker frequently contains from 2 to 8 wt% of methylacetylene and propadiene (MAPD).

These compounds are undesirable in both chemical - and polymer - grade propylene applications. Historically MAPD are converted into propylene via hydrogenation in vapor phase. Axens C3 MAPD selective hydrogenation technology pioneered the MAPD hydrogenation in liquid phase in the 70’s, offering to the market liquid-phase hydrogenation technologies that require lower investment and lower operating costs as compared to gas-phase processing technologies.

Axens C3 MAPD hydrogenation technology operates in the liquid phase under the mild conditions of ambient temperature and a pressure sufficient to maintain the liquid phase. This technology can be featured in different configuration with a single main reactor and/or with finishing reactor depending on the expected specification and/or feedstock quality, serving a large variety of applications.

High flexibility in configuration feedstock range and/or product specifications
Liquid phase hydrogenation lower capital and operating cost expenditure
130+ references for about 38MMTPA Propylene cuts since the 70’s
Related Offer

C₄ Acetylene Hydrogenation

Existing solvent extraction technologies available on the market can separate butene from 1,3-butadiene successfully. Nevertheless, the high content of acetylenics vinylacetylene (VAC), 1-butyne (ethylacetylene, ETAC) and propyne (methylacetylene, MAC) in some purge of this process is often an issue in petrochemical sites for the following reasons:

  • It contains BD that is therefore lost and takes down the overall butadiene yield of the complex,
  • It is a hazardous cut, which is explosive when too highly concentrated in vinylacetylene,
  • It is difficult to find a proper way to treat this stream due to the acetylenics that are unstable, and burning it as a way of disposal means higher environmental impact of the plant.

Axens Selective hydrogenation for VAC is a simple and reliable hydrogenation process that is industrially proven

Related Offer

C₄ Butadiene (BD) Rich Hydrogenation

Steam cracker C4 cuts contain a butadiene content ranging generally within 40-70 wt%. Liquid Steam crackers produce typically large C4 cuts to recover butadiene economically, but in some cases, the butadiene recovery might not meet economical profitability. This can happen when steam crackers do not produce sufficient C4 or in situations where there is a low butadiene content in Steam cracker or FCC C4s cut. In all these instances, Axens Selective Butadiene (BD) Rich hydrogenation technology is the solution of choice to selectively hydrogenate butadiene into valuables n-butenes.

This technology provides an affordable opportunity to deliver flexibility to the Steam Cracker complex in case of Butadiene market fluctuation. This is achieved by by-passing part or the entire of the C4 from the Butadiene extraction unit through the selective hydrogenation unit and making additional valuable n-butenes out of it.

This technology operates in liquid phase and can be featured with a single main reactor or in combination of a finishing reactor depending on the desired residual expected butadiene content.

Axens catalyst technology offer the possibility to operate in mild pressure and temperature conditions, which ultimately can save the related cost of feed vaporization and high alloy material selection.

References More than 40 references
High selectivity converting butadiene into valuable n-butenes whenever butadiene is not an interest
Related Offer

C₄ BD Lean (Max B1/Max B2)

C4 olefin cuts, sourced from FCC and/or from Butadiene extraction raffinate, contain butadiene with a concentration frequently higher than commercial specification.

Axens Selective Hydrogenation BD Lean is a reliable and industrially proven solution to polish the residual butadiene quantities down to ppm level.

Furthermore, this technology can be associated with different catalyst formulations:

  • Either to preserve the Butene-1, the so-called BD Lean Max B1,
  • Or to maximize the hydro-isomerization of the Butene-1 towards Butene-2, the so-called BD Lean Max B2.

Axens Hydrogenation BD Lean Max B1 or Max B2 technologies are the “jack-of-all-trades” of C4’s olefin cut treatment scheme. Indeed, depending on the targeted butene yield, this technology can be used to isolate one of the butene compounds for further valorization.

References Over 75 references (including revamps)
High operational flexibility
Versatile technology
Related Offer

C₅ Selective Hydrogenation

The steam cracker crude C5 cut contains a significant amount of diolefins and olefins. For some downstream specific usages, there is an interest to significantly lower the amount of diolefins and maximize the olefins.

The selective hydrogenation of C5 diolefins into the corresponding olefins is achieved with a very high selectivity, that is to say while minimizing the conversion of olefins into saturates, through Axens C5 selective hydrogenation process.

The efficiency of the developed technology is based, among other elements, on a deep understanding of the reactivities of the various isomers, influence of contaminants, and importance of operating parameters including distribution.

Related Offer

Catalysts & Grading Materials

Catalysts

Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts

High-performance selective hydrogenation catalysts dedicated to the petrochemical and refining industries, to purify highly valuable olefinic and aromatic streams produced by steam crackers and FCC units.

Gradings

Speciality Bed Topping

In Hydroprocessing reactors, pressure drop is mainly induced by particulates build-up and gum formations. Pressure drop not only affect the capacity of the unit but can also have detrimental impact on the distribution.

Adsorbents

Adsorbents

Arsine Removal Adsorbents

The poisonous effects of arsine and other metal hydrides on hydrogenation and polymerization catalysts is well documented. By far the most common, arsine can seriously deactivate the high-activity Ziegler Natta, metallocene and noble metal catalysts used for processing cracked light ends.

Adsorbents

Drying Series Adsorbents

Water removal applications are widely encountered in the industry sector. Activated alumina and molecular sieves stand at the forefront of the several different materials available on the market.

Adsorbents

Mercury Removal Adsorbents

Mercury removal from hydrocarbons is crucial due to HSE-related issues, corrosion problems and downstream catalyst poisoning.

Adsorbents

Purification Series Adsorbents

Material specially developed to achieve your feedstock’s specification requirements.

Adsorbents

Sulfur Removal Adsorbents for Oil, Gas & Petrochemicals

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), COS, mercaptans or sulfides are common contaminants that must be removed from various gases and liquids such as natural gas, NGLs, LPGs, cracked gases, olefins or biogas.

Consulting, Supply & Support

Consulting, Studies & Audits

Axens offers a customized approach, including tailored studies, audits and consulting services, covering technical and operational challenges.

Unit Revamps & Retrofits

You face many challenges, which include operating in a safe, reliable and environmentally sound manner while responding to changing markets dynamics.

Modular Units

A modularization strategy offers superior benefits versus on-site manufacturing. During the last 40 years, Axens has supplied over 500 modular units, both onshore and offshore, providing tailor-made designs according to client project specifications.

Customer Training

Designed for all Axens technologies, dedicated to operators & engineers, Axens offers customized training solutions to all our licensees, covering the whole range of Axens technologies.

Technical Support & Performance Management

Axens is fully committed to be your partner and provide assistance and support during your project lifecycle, from conception to start-up & running operations.

Digital Services & Applications

Axens' digital platform combines real-time data and digital solutions to optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and lower costs while maximizing profitability. By delivering actionable insights and detailed performance reports, it enhances asset operation and performance for smarter, more efficient outcomes.

Reactor Internals

In today’s complex environment, refineries and petrochemical plants around the world need advanced solutions to reach operational excellence. In units featuring fixed-bed reactors, the use of high-efficiency reactor internals are essential to help achieve this goal.

Ethylene production by steam cracking produces several by-products such as pyrolysis gasoline (pygas). 

Raw pygas contains highly valuable components such as BTX (benzene, toluene, xylenes), unsaturated compounds like diolefins, styrenes and olefins, and sulfur-containing compounds. In order to recover BTX, the unsaturated compounds and sulfur compounds have to be removed efficiently. This is the target of Axens’ offer through two different stages of pygas hydrogenation : GHU-1 and GHU-2. 

Process Technologies

1st Stage Gasoline Hydrogenation Unit, GHU-1

The first stage of the Gasoline Hydrogenation Unit (GHU-1) involves the selective hydrogenation of diolefins and styrenics. Efficiency of the conversion in this stage is essential for the downstream unit’s operation.

The first stage process aims to improve the stability of the raw pyrolysis gasoline by selectively hydrogenating the diolefins and alkenyl compounds, making it suitable for further processing in a second stage. The reaction is carried out mainly in the liquid phase, on a specific catalyst in a fixed bed reactor.

The operating conditions are selected to maximize the conversion of diolefins and alkenyl-aromatics, while minimizing the formation of heavy products by polymerization, preventing any aromatics loss.

In this stage, palladium or nickel-based catalysts are used depending on the site-specific constraints among which the feedstock characteristics, the product specifications, the unit characteristics and the operating conditions.

Long successful history in unit design and high-performance catalysts
References Over 150 references

2nd Stage Gasoline Hydrogenation Unit, GHU-2

In the second stage of pygas hydrogenation (GHU-2) the C6-C8 heart cut is further processed to prepare a feedstock suitable for aromatics recovery, by selectively hydrogenating the olefins and hydrodesulfurization.

This process consists in olefins and sulfur removal from all or a specific fraction of the first stage effluent. The complete removal of olefins and sulfur has to be ensured while minimizing aromatics hydrogenation. The effluent is then routed to an aromatics recovery unit.

Best answer to maximize aromatics recovery as well as diolefins, olefins and sulfur removal

Catalysts & Grading Materials

Catalysts

Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts

High-performance selective hydrogenation catalysts dedicated to the petrochemical and refining industries, to purify highly valuable olefinic and aromatic streams produced by steam crackers and FCC units.

Gradings

Gums & Polymer formation control

Pressure drop induced by gum formation is frequently encountered in unit processing some cracked feedstock derived from various conversion processes. The olefins and mainly the diolefins contained in these streams tend to polymerize and get oxidized forming a crust which deposit in the upper layers of the reactor.

Gradings

Silica Management

Silicon is a well-known widespread poison for hydroprocessing catalysts. The main contributor to silicon is the Delayed Coker. In addition, there is a general tendency in the oil production industry to use more silicon-based flow improvers.

Gradings

Speciality Bed Topping

In Hydroprocessing reactors, pressure drop is mainly induced by particulates build-up and gum formations. Pressure drop not only affect the capacity of the unit but can also have detrimental impact on the distribution.

Consulting, Supply & Support

Consulting, Studies & Audits

Axens offers a customized approach, including tailored studies, audits and consulting services, covering technical and operational challenges.

Unit Revamps & Retrofits

You face many challenges, which include operating in a safe, reliable and environmentally sound manner while responding to changing markets dynamics.

Modular Units

A modularization strategy offers superior benefits versus on-site manufacturing. During the last 40 years, Axens has supplied over 500 modular units, both onshore and offshore, providing tailor-made designs according to client project specifications.

Customer Training

Designed for all Axens technologies, dedicated to operators & engineers, Axens offers customized training solutions to all our licensees, covering the whole range of Axens technologies.

Technical Support & Performance Management

Axens is fully committed to be your partner and provide assistance and support during your project lifecycle, from conception to start-up & running operations.

Digital Services & Applications

Axens' digital platform combines real-time data and digital solutions to optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and lower costs while maximizing profitability. By delivering actionable insights and detailed performance reports, it enhances asset operation and performance for smarter, more efficient outcomes.

Reactor Internals

In today’s complex environment, refineries and petrochemical plants around the world need advanced solutions to reach operational excellence. In units featuring fixed-bed reactors, the use of high-efficiency reactor internals are essential to help achieve this goal.

Explore some

Resources

Technical article

Technical Article - Enhance Aromatics Production Part 2

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FAQ

What could be causing rapid catalyst deactivation in the hydrogenation of heavier fractions downstream of our steam cracker furnace?

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Technical article

Technical Article - Enhance Aromatics Production Part 1

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Insight

Maximizing the Production and the Transformation of Aromatics

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Insight

Maximizing the Production and the Transformation of Aromatics

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Insight

Targeting the Highly Coveted Olefins

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Insight

Two Conversion Routes to Maximize the Economic Returns of a Crude-to-Chemicals Project

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Insight

Recommended Process Routes for Maximized Oil Conversion to Aromatics and Olefins

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Whitepaper

White Paper - Crude-to-Chemicals

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Technical article

Technical Article - Enhance Aromatics Production Part 2

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Technical article

Technical Article - Enhance Aromatics Production Part 1

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Technical article

Technical Article - Good Practice in PYGAS Hydrogenation Operations Through Advanced Process Control

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Technical article

Technical Article - Catalytic Answer To A Steam Cracking Challenge

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FAQ

What could be causing rapid catalyst deactivation in the hydrogenation of heavier fractions downstream of our steam cracker furnace?

Read more
Press release

Axens pyrolysis gasoline unit successfully started-up at Hyundai Chemical petrochemical complex in South Korea

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Press release

New reference in Asia for LD 153 Axens’ selective hydrogenation catalyst for C2 front-end application

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Press release

Axens Selene™ Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts new family

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Press release

Axens selected for BUA Group integrated refinery and petrochemical project in Nigeria

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