Propylene (C3-) growth continues to outpace ethylene (C2-) growth worldwide, and with the “lightening” of cracker feedstocks, steam cracking is unable to meet the market demand, increasing focus to “on-purpose” propylene production in both petrochemical and refinery facilities. This paper covers: 1) market trends in light olefin demand, trends in cracker feedstocks, resultant C2=/C3= ratios, and the projected “on-purpose” production requirements; and 2) technology options for “on-purpose” propylene production, including FCC unit production, propane dehydrogenation, natural gas upgrading, and cracking of C4 - C8 olefins from FCC units and naphtha crackers. The role of these various technologies in either petrochemical or refining facilities will be examined as well as the opportunities for refinery/petrochemical integration.
展开▼
