Process Technologies

COSWEET™

COSWEET™ is a process for carbonyl sulfide (COS) removal from sour natural gas streams associated with amine-based sweetening processes that allow for the simultaneous removal of COS, H₂S and/or CO₂.

By combining amine absorption with catalytic COS hydrolysis, COSWEET™ allows gas sweetening, either total (removal of both H₂S & CO₂) or selective (removal of H₂S mainly), with complete COS removal. This process is applicable to any type of absorption solvent.

The natural stream to be treated is sent to the acid gas removal unit (AGRU), where H₂S and/or CO₂ are removed by the amine solvent. COS is then decomposed into CO₂ and H₂S on the COSWEET™ reactor, using an Axens proprietary catalyst. Different options can be foreseen for H₂S polishing:

• Gas is contacted in an amine absorber with the regenerated solvent from AGRU to achieve the required treated gas specifications in the outlet stream, or
• Gas is sent to a polishing reactor filled with Axens AxTrap™ catalyst for complete H₂S removal in the outlet stream.

SPREX®

SPREX® is a process developed for bulk H₂S removal from highly sour gas. SPREX® offers economic alternatives for the development of highly sour gas reserves with acid gas reinjection, which allows CAPEX and energy consumption reduction and limits sulfur production.

SPREX® has been developed to meet the challenges of the development of very sour (> 10% acid gases) natural gases.

The process principle is as follow: highly sour gases are split in a cryogenic distillation, producing partially sweetened gas at the overhead and liquid acid gas mixture at the bottom, which is suitable for reinjection.

AdvAmine™

AdvAmine™ solutions rely on a unique and long-term cooperation between:

• TotalEnergies, the initial developer of the AdvAmine™ technology portfolio
• IFP Energies nouvelles, an innovative R&I center
• Axens, a recognized licensor.

The Advamine™ series of processes, designed to be suitable for all applications: gas plants, LNG plants, refineries, shale gas, syngas, etc.., enables to treat any type of feed gas composition and to achieve the most stringent specifications. Process configurations are adapted to operator specific cases with tailor-made solvent composition formulation, using open market chemicals in order to reduce solvent costs.

HySWEET™

HySWEET™ has been developed based on the selection of the most suitable physical solvent for blending with a variety of amines (DEA, MDEA, formulated MDEA).

It enables to maximize mercaptan removal together with the absorption of the acidic species while minimizing the usual drawback of hybrid solvents: an increased hydrocarbon co-adsorption potentially harmful for the downstream Claus unit, treating the recovered acid gas stream.

AdvaMEG®

History:
Originally developed by CCR Ltd, now exclusively licensed by Axens. AdvaMEG® is a pioneer technology with the 1^st worldwide reference (1999, Gulf of Mexico, offshore).

Highlights:
AdvaMEG® benefits are supported by:

• The experience of Axens as a process licensor as well as an engineering company delivering complete skid-mounted processing units, for both onshore and offshore applications.
• Continuous improvement of its current know-how based on operating feedback results from its long-term R&D with IFPEN and close collaboration with key partners.
• Selection of equipment and materials which have proven their reliability and high efficiency and are suitable for motions on floating support.

Onshore and Offshore Project Approach:

• Feasibility Stage
  Analysis of flow assurance study outputs, feasibility, scheme definition and conceptual study to optimize MEG regeneration and reclamation sizing.
• Project Execution
  License supply, basic design, process engineering, detailed engineering, revamping studies, procurement, supply of complete processing units/modular turn-key units.
• Start-up
  Assistance in pre-com/commissioning and start-up phases to secure unit performances. Experts on site to allow smooth transition from licensor to operators.
• Operation
  After sales services and continuous end user support such as training, supply of spare parts, analysis and technical assistance.

Cyclohexane Process

The Axens Cyclohexane process is the industry’s benchmark for the production of high purity Cyclohexane by benzene hydrogenation.

The process is combining two steps:

• A liquid phase hydrogenation, for an optimal control of exothermicity and selectivity at the lowest investment;
• A fixed catalyst bed reactor to meet the most severe Cyclohexane product specifications.

Hydrodealkylation (HDA)

Axens Thermal Hydrodealkylation (HDA) is a non-catalytic process that achieves nearly theoretical benzene yields. Axens’ proprietary know-how plug-flow reactor minimizes side reactions and results efficient in both yield and energy consumption.

EMTAM℠ - ParamaX® Suite

Paraxylene yield can be increased thanks to the incorporation inexpensive methanol to toluene in the EMTAM℠ process. EMTAM℠ enables unique product slate flexibility from zero to conventional benzene co-production for greatest resilience to changing market conditions.

Para-Selective - PxMax℠ - ParamaX® Suite

PxMax℠ process is the industry benchmark selective toluene disproportionation (STDP) process. The STDP enables rearrangement of aromatics to boost the production of benzene & xylenes from toluene. Produced xylenes are significantly enriched in paraxylene.

TransPlus℠ - ParamaX® Suite

The TransPlus℠ process is the low-cost, high-conversion solution to effectively upgrade C₉+ heavy aromatics and toluene/benzene to higher-value products (mixed xylenes and high-purity benzene).

TransPlus℠ is capable of handling the largest feed spectrum, from very light feeds with benzene up to heavy ones composed of C₁₀+ aromatics. This presents exceptional opportunities for profit maximization by offering the possibility to valorize C₉+ aromatics to chemicals and transportation fuels or by upgrading benzene to mixed xylenes when economically attractive.