UOP to Provide Technology for Petrochem Production

UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced that it has been selected by Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. to provide key technology to produce propylene in China.

The win marks the sixth time this year Honeywell’s UOP technology has been selected by petrochemicals producers to produce propylene, which is used in the production of materials such as films and packaging.

“As petrochemicals producers in China increase production capacity to support rising demands, we are pleased to be at the forefront, offering the advanced technology needed to achieve the desired yields,” said Pete Piotrowski, senior vice president for Process Technology and Equipment at Honeywell’s UOP. “We remain committed to supporting the technology needs of petrochemicals producers worldwide, and we look forward to working with Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin on this project.”

The new propane dehydrogenation unit will use Honeywell’s UOP C3 Oleflex process technology to produce 450,000 metric tons annually of propylene. The unit is expected to start up in 2013 at Zhejiang’s facility in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. In addition to technology licensing, Honeywell’s UOP will also provide engineering design, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, staff training and technical service for the project.

The Oleflex process uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene. Compared with alternative propane dehydrogenation processes, Oleflex technology provides the lowest cash cost of production and the highest return on investment. These outcomes are enabled by low operating and capital costs, high propylene yield and reliability, and maximum operating flexibility.

Since the technology was commercialized in 1990, Honeywell’s UOP has commissioned nine C3 Oleflex units for on-purpose propylene production, with the 10th unit scheduled to start up in 2012 in Russia. Earlier this year, Honeywell’s UOP announced four similar projects in China as well as one in Abu Dhabi.

Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Fuling Holding Group, located in Shaoxing City, China. The company, established in 2003, specializes in polypropylene production and produces 600,000 metric tons of the substance annually.