Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex™ technology to help produce high-octane fuel and other materials
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced recently that Houston-based Enterprise Products Operating LLC has chosen Honeywell UOP’s C4 Oleflex™ technology to produce 425,000 metric tons per year of isobutylene, which is used to make high-octane fuel and high-performance synthetic rubbers and acrylics.
In addition to technology licensing, Honeywell UOP will provide the basic engineering design, control systems, catalysts and adsorbents for the plant, which is located in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Honeywell UOP also will provide a modular CCR™ (continuous catalyst regeneration) unit.
“High demand from automotive, industrial machinery and construction applications are expected to drive growth in lubricant production, and at the same time, demand for high-octane fuel is rising as auto manufacturers build more engines that meet higher fuel economy standards,” said Mike Millard, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP’s Process Technology and Equipment business. “Isobutylene produced by the Oleflex process is a great raw material for making products to meet these market needs.”
Honeywell UOP’s C4 Oleflex technology uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert isobutane into isobutylene and is proven to have the lowest cash cost of production and the highest return on investment compared with competing technologies. Its low energy consumption, low emissions, and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system minimizes its impact on the environment. The unique and proven process design maximizes operating flexibility, on-stream factor and reliability.
The Honeywell UOP CCR section is a critical part of the Oleflex unit and will be delivered to Enterprise as modular equipment. Honeywell UOP has delivered more than 70 modular CCR sections globally, providing a cost-competitive and time-saving alternative to conventional field construction. Modular equipment has several advantages over typical installations. Because it is factory-built, it can be started faster that systems that are constructed on site, and it is easier to operate due to common parts and standardized training, operations and maintenance.
Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology has been selected for 39 projects by 46 producers globally since 2011. Since the technology was first commercialized in 1990, Honeywell UOP has commissioned 27 Oleflex units for on-purpose propylene and isobutylene production. Five more units in China and the Middle East are expected to start up later this year.
Enterprise Products Operating LLC provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products in the United States and internationally. It is a subsidiary of Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
Honeywell UOP (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. UOP is part of Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions (www.honeywellprocess.com), a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
Source: Honeywell
