FCC TECHNOLOGY FOR ENHANCING PROPYLENE PRODUCTION AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

摘要

Propylene as a basic intermediate is one of the fastest growing petrochemicals at average rates of 4%～5% per year. The largest source of propylene supply to the petrochemical markets is steam crackers as a by-product of ethylene, and propylene production from FCC units is the second most important source of worldwide petrochemical propylene supply. Currently steam cracking and refinery operations constitute over 97% of the propylene produced. The remaining 3% is produced via other routes. The typical weight ratio of propylene to ethylene is limited to the range of 0.4 to 0.6 for steam cracking, and only when cracking heavier feeds such as naphtha and gas oil. Furthermore, much of the new steam cracking capacity is based on ethane feed, further aggravating the shortage of propylene. The shortfall of propylene supply from steam cracking will have to be made-up by on-purpose propylene production.