Process Technologies

Solvent hydrogenation

Axens’ Solvent hydrogenation unit uses a highly active catalyst and operates in the liquid phase under mild conditions to minimize the investment and operating cost.

The Axens Solvent Hydrogenation technology covers alternative configurations, with main reactor and/or a polishing reactor as function of the expected specifications

Alkyfining® (part of ALKEMAX™ SAA Block)

Axens Alkyfining® technology converts the diolefins and acetylenes present in the C₄ cuts, from any sources, into valuable olefins with high selectivity.

The reaction performs in liquid-phase, through a fixed-bed catalyst under mild temperature and pressure conditions.

Alkylation Unit - ALKEMAX™ SAA

ALKEMAX™ SAA technology is used in some of the world’s largest refineries. The units are designed with the operator in mind, offering high reliability, flexibility, and energy efficiency. ALKEMAX™ SAA technology provides proven solutions for high-octane alkylate production.

An optimal solution with:

• A tailor-made solution by tuning design capacities avoiding useless overdesign,
• An integrated management of effluents and impurities,
• An optimization of the overall process scheme,
• A fully integrated package to the customer: Alkyfining® (alkylation feed treatment if required) / Alkylation / C4 Isomerization processes

C₄ Isomerization (part of ALKEMAX™ SAA Block)

Axens offers C4 Isomerization technology based on the use of ATIS-1L catalyst, a very high activity chlorinated alumina catalyst.

ATIS-1L allows effective operation at low temperatures and delivers a very high equilibrium conversion rate of normal butane to isobutane.

MTBE/ETBE

The purpose of the MTBE/ETBE unit is to selectively transform reactive isobutylene from FCC, SC or other olefinic C₄ cut into Methyl-Tert-Butyl-Ether/Ethyl-Tert-Butyl-Ether (MTBE/ETBE) by etherification with methanol/ethanol.

Axens MTBE/ETBE technologies are based on a specific concept of expanded catalytic-bed reactors and on a state-of-the-art reactive distillation system called CatacolTM. In addition to overcoming equilibrium limitations, Catacol™ minimizes catalyst cost because, unlike other catalytic systems, Catacol™ does not require proprietary catalyst packaging.

Based on in-depth expertise, Axens provides optimum solutions for every type of application thanks to a very flexible offer, such as Alkylation feed preparation or ultimate conversion with a very high selectivity, which is required for petrochemical applications and especially for the 1-Butene production.

TAME/TAEE

The purpose of the TAME/TAEE unit is to selectively transform reactive isoamylenes from light cut naphtha into Tert-Amyl-Methyl-Ether or Tert-Amyl-Ethyl-Ether (TAME/TAEE), and tertiary branched C6+ olefins into corresponding C6 ethers by etherification with methanol/ethanol in order to produce light gasoline with a high octane number while decreasing olefin content and reducing vapor pressure of the gasoline pool.

Axens TAME/TAEE technologies rely on in-depth expertise to provide the most appropriate solution based on simple and robust designs with the following main features:

• Highly reactive isoamylenes conversion
• Use of non-proprietary catalysts (i.e., inexpensive and readily available from several suppliers).
• Easy catalyst loading and unloading
• Low investment cost and utility consumption
• Possibility of staged investment
• Mild operating conditions

The first step of Prime-G+® technology is in offering excellent preparation for the feed of the light gasoline etherification unit. The TAME/TAEE process ideally complements Prime-G+® technology in compensating for the octane loss and regaining the octane barrels.

Dimersol-X™

Axens’ Dimersol-X™ process transforms butenes to octenes that are ultimately used in the manufacture of plasticizers via isononanol (isononyl alcohol), and diisononyl phthalate units. Butenes enter the Dimersol-X™ process, which comprises three sections: reactor, catalyst removal and separation.

As shown in the figure, in the reactor section, dimerization occurs in multiple liquid-phase reactors (1) employing homogeneous catalysis and an efficient recycle mixing system. Difasol reactor might be added in order to boost conversion and octene yield through use of ionic liquid. The catalyst is generated in situ by the reaction of components injected in the recycle loop.

The catalyst in the reactor effluent is then deactivated in the neutralization section and separated (2). Section (3) separates unreacted olefin monomer and saturates from the product dimers while the second column (4) separates the octenes. A third column can be added to separate dodecenes.

Dimersol-G™

Axens Solutions Dimersol-G™ process transforms light olefins fractions such as propylene to high quality gasoline called Dimate with low boiling point and high octane properties.

The C₃ feeds are generally the propylene cuts from fluid catalytic cracking units. The Dimersol-G™ process is suitable for isolated refineries without petrochemical outlet for propylene.

FlexEne™

Axens has developed the new FlexEne™ technology to expand the capabilities of the FCC process which is the main refinery conversion unit traditionally oriented to maximize gasoline and at times propylene production.

FlexEne™ is an innovative combination of two well-proven technologies: Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) and Oligomerization (Polynaphtha™). Combined in an innovative way, they can significantly improve product flexibility to control the balance of propylene, gasoline and diesel production with a low capital investment. This FLEXibility is achieved by selective oligomerization of light FCC alkENEs (olefins) for recycle cracking in the FCC.

By adjusting the catalyst formulation and operating conditions, the FCC process is able to operate in different modes: Maxi Distillate, Maxi Gasoline and High Propylene. This provides the product flexibility required by the market.

PolyFuel®

PolyFuel® technological service is an innovative technology aimed at maximizing middle distillates production by converting light olefins from LPG and gasoline into distillates at minimum cost. PolyFuel® can accept the full range C5-C9 olefinic cut produced downstream of the FCC.

PolyFuel® technology’s objective is to tackle unbalanced gasoline/middle distillates slates while reaching tighter products requirements.

In the PolyFuel® process, light olefins are oligomerized catalytically in two fixed bed reactors in series. Conversion and selectivity are controlled by reactor temperature adjustment while the heat of reaction is simply removed by feed-effluent heat exchange. The reactor section effluent is fractionated producing gasoline depleted in olefins and middle distillates fractions. The gasoline fraction is recycled to the reaction section to enhance middle distillates production.