Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene in Isothermal Reactors

摘要

Basell Polyolefine GmbH at Wesseling is operating two ethylene crackers, MG4 and MG6, with a total nameplate capacity of 1,000,000 metric tons per year. Both crackers possess isothermal front-end acetylene reactors. In 2001 a new catalyst generation was introduced with a lower sensitivity to parameter fluctuations and an enhanced ethylene yield. In this paper the gained commercial experience with isothermal front-end acetylene hydrogenation reactors will be presented from the view of an ethylene producer (Basell Polyolefine GmbH) as well as a process/catalyst licensor (CRI KataLeuna). The paper will discuss specifics, operability and safety issues of isothermal acetylene converters. It will also address operational advantages and disadvantages of isothermal front-end acetylene converters compared to adiabatic reactors.