Published June 2001
This report updates the Process Economics Program technical and economic appraisal of linear alpha olefin processes for Shell and Chevron that were last examined in PEP Report 12C (July 1990). In addition, the following new technologies are evaluated:
- BP Amoco: Total Butene-Recycle technology.
- Institut Français du Pétrole: AlphaSelect™ technology.
- UOP/Union Carbide: Linear-1 technology.
- Phillips Petroleum: Ethylene Trimerization technology.
- Sasol: 1-Hexene Recovery technology.
Shell uses a proprietary liganded nickel catalyst system for ethylene oligomerization compared with Chevron and BP Amoco, which employ a Ziegler-type catalyst. Institut Français du Pétrole's AlphaSelect™ targets the maximizing of alpha olefin production in the C4-C10 range using zirconium-based catalysts. Like Shell, UOP/Union Carbide's Linear-1 oligomerization technology is founded on liganded nickel compounds and, although focusing on producing C4-C10 alpha olefins, produces detergent-grade alpha olefins as well. Both AlphaSelect™ and Linear-1 produce C4's in appreciably high amounts.
Phillips selectively produces 1-hexene from ethylene. Using chromium-based catalysts, the Phillips ethylene trimerization technology can give a high yield of 1-hexene with a purity of above 90%. Sasol produces 1-hexene primarily because of its high market demand and as an alternative for its gasoline product via a proprietary extractive distillation process.
This report also presents a brief discussion of the state of the industry with particular reference to manufacturing capacities and consumption rates.
Other PEP Related Reports:
