Toluene (TL) Hydrogenation

LD-143

Cyclohexane Production Catalysts

LD-143 is used for the complete Hydrogenation in liquid phase of Toluene to high purity MethylCycloHexane. It can be used in fixed bed reactor, placed downstream of the main Hydrogenation reactor. 

HC-1025

Cyclohexane Production Catalysts

HC-1025 Catalyst achieves Toluene Hydrogenation in homogeneous liquid phase. It is used in the process of Toluene to MethylCycloHexane in the liquid phase first reactor. 

Toluene (TL) Hydrogenation

Technology

Axens has in its portfolio two industrial technologies for aromatics Hydrogenation:  

• Heterogeneous catalysis technology Benfree™: developed to limit Benzene content in commercial gasoline with 50 references, 
• Homogeneous catalysis technology for pure benzene Hydrogenation: to produce high purity cyclohexane for Nylon production with 35 references. 

Considering technical and economical comparison, Axens considers that for Toluene the best option is homogeneous type Hydrogenation for the following reasons: 

• Flexibility / robustness: catalyst make-up rate adjusted in function of the plant capacity and in function of the content of poisonous impurities in the Toluene and Hydrogen feeds.  
• Reliability: No catalyst changeout in case of catalyst severe poisoning.   
• Safety: In case of runaways, the reactor liquid hold-up constitutes the simplest safety device with vaporization of the liquid. 
• Performance / efficiency: exceptionally high selectivity and purity of MethylCycloHexane (MCH), leading to maximum Hydrogen pick-up and flexibility in dealing with impurities. 

With several decades providing similar technologies, catalysts and services for Petrochemical application, Axens currently has an unmatched experience in pure aromatics Hydrogenation.