Abstract

Process Economics Program Report 182B

AROMATIC PROCESSES
(December 2008)

This report reviews the status of the BTX industry and related production and recovery
technologies as of mid year 2008. It is the latest in a series of earlier PEP reports covering
various aspects of the industry two of which were issued year end 2006. The current report
incorporates and updates information from the earlier reports.
In todays aromatics complex extractive distillation appears to be the preferred method for
recovering benzene or benzene/toluene from mixed C6/C7 aromatic/paraffin mixtures. The GTC
Technology GT-BTX extractive distillation process was evaluated in one of the earlier reports.
The current report includes evaluations of Uhdes Morphylane and Single Column
Morphylane extractive distillation processes.
Another technology focus of this report is BTX recovery from pyrolysis gasoline. Included is
an evaluation of SK Corporations pyrolysis gasoline upgrading process. Two versions of the
process are patented: one uses a C6+ pygas feed (full range) and the other a C7+ pygas feed
(debenzenized). The latter is the subject of the evaluation.

SRI Consulting PEP Report 182B

SRI Consulting Report No. 182B

AROMATIC PROCESSES

by ABE GELBEIN

December 2008

A private report by the

PROCESS ECONOMICS PROGRAM

Menlo Park, California 94025

 SRIC agrees to assign professionally qualified personnel to the preparation of the
Process Economics Programs reports and will perform the work in conformance with generally
accepted professional standards. No other warranties expressed or implied are made. Because
the reports are of an advisory nature, neither SRIC nor its employees will assume any liability for
the special or consequential damages arising from the Clients use of the results contained in the
reports. The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold SRIC, its officers, and employees
harmless from any liability to any third party resulting directly or indirectly from the Clients use of
the reports or other deliverables produced by SRIC pursuant to this agreement

For detailed marketing data and information, the reader is referred to one of the SRI
Consulting programs specializing in marketing research. THE CHEMICAL ECONOMICS
HANDBOOK Program covers most major chemicals and chemical products produced in the
United States and the WORLD PETROCHEMICALS PROGRAM covers major hydrocarbons and
their derivatives on a worldwide basis. In addition the SRIC DIRECTORY OF CHEMICAL
PRODUCERS services provide detailed lists of chemical producers by company, product, and
plant for the United States, Western Europe, Canada, and East Asia, South America and Mexico.
 CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1-1

2 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 2-1

INDUSTRY STATUS .................................................................................................. 2-1

TECHNICAL APECTS................................................................................................ 2-3

BTX from Catalytic Reformate.................................................................................... 2-3

Production of Reformate....................................................................................... 2-3
Disproportionation/Transalkylation/Isomerization ................................................ 2-3
Aromatics Recovery ............................................................................................. 2-4

The Integrated BTX Complex ..................................................................................... 2-5

BTX from Pyrolysis Gasoline...................................................................................... 2-5

BTX from LPG ............................................................................................................ 2-6

ECONOMIC ASPECTS .............................................................................................. 2-6

Aromatics Recovery ................................................................................................... 2-6

Pygas Upgrading ........................................................................................................ 2-8

3 STATUS OF THE INDUSTRY.................................................................................... 3-1

BENZENE................................................................................................................... 3-2

TOLUENE................................................................................................................... 3-30

MIXED XYLENES....................................................................................................... 3-47

P-XYLENE .................................................................................................................. 3-68

4 TECHNLOGY REVIEW.............................................................................................. 4-1

BTX FROM CATALYTIC REFORMATE .................................................................... 4-3

BTX FROM PYROLYSIS GASOLINE ........................................................................ 4-7

BENZENE FROM TOLYENE VIA HYDROHEALKYLATION..................................... 4-13

BTX FROM LPG ......................................................................................................... 4-14

BTX FROM COAL LIGHT OILS ................................................................................. 4-15

SRI Consulting iii PEP Report 182B

 CONTENTS (Continued)

RECENT PATENT DISCLOSURES PERTAINING TO BTX DERIVED FROM NAPHTHA,

PYGAS AND LPG (2007-SEPTEMBER 2008 TIMEFRAME) .................................... 4-15

Axens (Institut Francais du Petrole) ........................................................................... 4-15

Novel Moving Bed Reactor System...................................................................... 4-15
Improved Performance of a Moving Bed Reactor ................................................ 4-16
High Octane and Low Aromatics Content C7 Boiling Range Gasoline ............... 4-16
Membrane Reactor for Hydrotreating Naphtha Feed to a Reformer ................... 4-16

ExxonMobil ................................................................................................................. 4-17

Reforming Reactor System that Includes EB Conversion to Xylenes.................. 4-17
Pyrolysis Gasoline Reforming Process ................................................................ 4-17

Saudi Basic Industries ................................................................................................ 4-18

Higher Selectivity LPG Aromatizing Catalyst ....................................................... 4-18
New LPG Aromatizing Catalyst ............................................................................ 4-18
LPG Aromatizing Catalyst Performance Improved by S Addition ........................ 4-18
Modified Reforming Reactor Configuration .......................................................... 4-18

SK Corporation ........................................................................................................... 4-18

Pyrolysis Gasoline Upgrading Process ................................................................ 4-18
Pyrolysis Gasoline Upgrading Process ................................................................ 4-19

Chevron U.S.A............................................................................................................ 4-20

Preparation of SSZ-56 Molesular Sieve ............................................................... 4-20
Preparation of SSZ-74 Molecular Sieve ............................................................... 4-20
Preparation of SSZ-75 Molecular Sieve ............................................................... 4-20

ENI S.p.A .................................................................................................................... 4-21

Catalyst Composition for Aromatizing C3 to C6 Hydrocarbons ........................... 4-21
C3 to C6 Aromatizing Process ............................................................................. 4-21
Aromatics Separation from Nonaromatics ........................................................... 4-22
Liquid-Liquid Extraction Technology .................................................................... 4-22

Shell Sulfolane Process.............................................................................................. 4-24

UOP Udex and Tetra Processes ................................................................................ 4-26

SRI Consulting iv PEP Report 182B

 CONTENTS (Continued)

UOP Carom Process .................................................................................................. 4-26

Lurgi Arosolvan Process............................................................................................. 4-28

Krupp Uhde Morphylex Technology ........................................................................... 4-29

Snamprogetti (Enichem) Formex Process ................................................................. 4-30

IFP DMSO Process .................................................................................................... 4-31

Extractive Distillation Processes .......................................................................... 4-32
Lurgi Distapex .................................................................................................. 4-33
Pygas Feed...................................................................................................... 4-33
Reformate Feed ............................................................................................... 4-34
Krupp Uhde Morphylane Process.................................................................... 4-35
Uhde Single Column Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process ................... 4-37
GTC Technology GT-BTX Process ................................................................. 4-40
UOP Extractive Distillation Process................................................................. 4-41

PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS PRETAINING TO LIQUID EXTRACTION OR

EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION (2000-OCT. 2008) ..................................................... 4-43

GTC Technology Inc................................................................................................... 4-43

Revamping an Existing Liquid-Liquid Extraction Process.................................... 4-43
Revamping an Existing Liquid-Liquid Extraction Process.................................... 4-43
Sulfolane/3-Methylsulfolane Extractive Distillation Solvent.................................. 4-43

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ................................................................. 4-43

New Composite Solvent Mixtures for Extractive Distillation................................. 4-43

Gaylord Chemical Corporation ................................................................................... 4-44

New Solvent System for Extractive Distillation..................................................... 4-44
Organic Sulfoxide/Acyclic Sulfones as Extractive Distillation Solvents................ 4-44

Phillips Petroleum Company ...................................................................................... 4-44

Alkyl-Substituted Oxazolidinones as Extractive Distillation Solvents................... 4-44

Equistar Chemicals, LP .............................................................................................. 4-44

Improved Operation of Liquid-Liquid Extraction System ...................................... 4-44

Denim Engineering Inc. .............................................................................................. 4-44

Improved Heat Integration of the Udex Process .................................................. 4-44

SRI Consulting v PEP Report 182B

 CONTENTS (Continued)

IONIC LIQUIDS AS L-L EXTRACTION SOLVENTS ................................................. 4-45

MEMBRANE SEPARATION PROCESSES ............................................................... 4-46

THE INTEGRATED AROMATICS COMPLEX ........................................................... 4-46

Selective Toluene Disproportionation (STDP) ........................................................... 4-46

Description of a Typical Aromatics Complex Fed With BTX Boiling Range Naphtha 4-49

RECENT UOP DISCLOSURES ON THE INTEGRATED AROMATICS COMPLEX. 4-52

Disproportionation, Transalkylation and Isomerization Technologies........................ 4-55

ExxonMobil ........................................................................................................... 4-56
MTDP-3 Process ............................................................................................. 4-56
MSTDP Process .............................................................................................. 4-56
PxMax Process ................................................................................................ 4-57
TransPlus Process........................................................................................... 4-57
XyMax Process ................................................................................................ 4-57
UOP ...................................................................................................................... 4-58
PX-Plus Process .............................................................................................. 4-58
Tatoray Process............................................................................................... 4-58
TAC9 Process.................................................................................................. 4-58
Isomar Process ................................................................................................ 4-59
Axens-Englehard Octafining Process.............................................................. 4-59

5 MORPHYLANE AND SINGLE COLUMN MORPHYLANE EXTRACTIVE

DISTILLATION PROCESSES ................................................................................... 5-1

PROCESS DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................ 5-1

Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process ................................................................ 5-1

Morphylane Battery Limits Capital and Production Cost Estimates........................... 5-3

Single Column Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process........................................ 5-8

Single Column Morphylane Battery Limits Capital and Production Cost Estimates .. 5-11

Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 5-16

6 BTX AROMATICS AND LPG FROM PYROLYSIS GASOLINE ............................... 6-1

BTX, LPG AND RAFFINATE FROM PYGAS............................................................. 6-1

SRI Consulting vi PEP Report 182B

 CONTENTS (Concluded)

Section 100: Pygas Stabilization and Benzene Heart Cut Separation....................... 6-11

Section 200: Benzene Hydrotreat .............................................................................. 6-12

Section 300: Hydrocracking/Dealkylation/Transalkylation ......................................... 6-13

Section 400: Morphylane Divided Wall Column Extractive Distillation....................... 6-15

CAPITAL INVESTMENT ESTIMATE ......................................................................... 6-15

PRODUCTION COST ESTIMATE ............................................................................. 6-26

BTX from Pygas with Raffinate Reforming................................................................. 6-26

Sections 100-400.................................................................................................. 6-26
Section 500: Raffinate Reforming ........................................................................ 6-27

Capital Investment Estimate....................................................................................... 6-42

PRODUCTION COST ESTIMATE ............................................................................. 6-53

Discussion .................................................................................................................. 6-53

APPENDIX A: PATENT SUMMARY TABLES.................................................................. A-1

APPENDIX B: CITED REFERENCES............................................................................... B-1

APPENDIX C: PATENT REFERENCES BY COMPANY.................................................. C-1

APPENDIX D: PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM.................................................................... D-1

SRI Consulting vii PEP Report 182B

 FIGURES

3.1 U.S. Average Spot Price for Benzene, Toluene, MTBE and Unleaded
Premium Gasoline ................................................................................................. 3-30

4.1 Refinery Block Diagram......................................................................................... 4-4

4.2 Semi-Regenerative Reforming Process Flow Scheme......................................... 4-6

4.3 Cyclic Regeneration Reforming Process Flow Scheme ....................................... 4-6

4.4 UOP Continuous Catalyst Regeneration Platforming Pocess Flow...................... 4-7

4.5 Pygas Upgrading Schemes................................................................................... 4-11

4.6 GTC Technology GTC-Styrene Process Flow Scheme........................................ 4-13

4.7 HydroDealkylation Process Flow Scheme ............................................................ 4-14

4.8 Solvent Selectivity and Hydrocarbon Solubility ..................................................... 4-23

4.9 Shell Sulfolane Process......................................................................................... 4-25

4.10 UDEX Process Flow Scheme................................................................................ 4-26

4.11 UOP Carom Process ............................................................................................. 4-27

4.12 Lurgi Arosolvan Process ....................................................................................... 4-28

4.13 Krupp UDHE Morphylex Process .......................................................................... 4-30

4.14 Enichem Formex Process ..................................................................................... 4-31

4.15 IFP DMSO Process ............................................................................................... 4-32

4.16 Lurgi Distapex Process Flow Scheme Pygas Feed .............................................. 4-34

4.17 Lurgi Distapex Process Flow Scheme--Reformated Feed.................................... 4-35

4.18 Krupp UHDE Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process ..................................... 4-36

4.19 Krupp UHDE Octenar Process.............................................................................. 4-37

4.20 Krupp UHDHE Supermorphylane Extractive Distillation System .......................... 4-39

4.21 GTC Technology GT-BTX Extractive Distillation Process .................................... 4-41

4.22A UOP Sulfolane Extractive Distillation Process Flow Scheme ............................... 4-42

4.22B UOP Sulfolane Extractive Distillation Process Flow Scheme ............................... 4-42

4.23 Conceptual BTX Liquid Extraction System Using Ionic LIquid Solvent................. 4-45

4.24 A Typical Aromatics Complex Configuration......................................................... 4-51

4.25 UOP Integrated Aromatics .................................................................................... 4-52

SRI Consulting viii PEP Report 182B

 FIGURES (Concluded)

4.26 UOP Integrated Aromatics Complex Flow Scheme .............................................. 4-54

4.27 UOP Integrated Aromatics Flow Scheme ............................................................. 4-55

5.1 Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process ........................................................... D-3

5.2 Single Column Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process................................... D-5

5.3 Block Flow Scheme for Simulating Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process ... 5-10

6.1 Pygas to BTX, LPG, and C6 Raffinate .................................................................. D-7

6.2 Pygas to BTX and LPG ......................................................................................... D-13

SRI Consulting ix PEP Report 182B

 TABLES

2.1 World Capacity, Production and Growth Rates of BTX - 2007 ............................. 2-1

2.2 Major Global Producers of BTX............................................................................. 2-2

2.3 Steam Cracking Pygas Yields ............................................................................... 2-6

2.4 Benzene Recovery from a Hydrotreated Pygas C6 Heart Cut Fraction Via
Morphylane and Single Column Morphylane Process
Production Cost ..................................................................................................... 2-7

2.5 Pygas Upgrading (SK Corporation Process) With and Without Raffinate Reforming
Production Costs ................................................................................................... 2-9

3.1 2007 Worldwide Capacity and Production for BTX Aromatics.............................. 3-3

3.2 Leading Global Producers of Benzene 2007 ........................................................ 3-6

3.3 Benzene - Producers and Average Annual Cpacities........................................... 3-7

3.4 Announced Expansions and Speculative Additions for Benzene 2007 ................ 3-27

3.5 Leading Global Producers of Toluene................................................................... 3-31

3.6 Comprehensive List of World Toluene Producers................................................. 3-32

3.7 Announced Global Expansions and Speculative Additions for Toluene ............... 3-46

3.8 Leading Global Producers of Mixed Xylenes ........................................................ 3-48

3.9 Comprehensive List of Global Producers of Mixed Xylene................................... 3-49

3.10 Announced Global Expansions of Mixed Xylenes................................................. 3-64

3.11 U.S. Prices for Mixed Xylenes ............................................................................... 3-67

3.12 Leading Global Producers of P-Xylene ................................................................. 3-68

3.13 Comprehensive List of Global P-Xylene Producers .............................................. 3-69

3.14 Announced Global Expansions and Speculative Additions of P-Xylene............... 3-77

3.15 U.S. Prices for P-Xylene........................................................................................ 3-80

4.1 Typical Compositions and Properties of Refinery Stream Naphthas .................... 4-3

4.2 Morphylane Process 1990-1999

Patent Summary.................................................................................................... A-3

4.3 Steam Cracking Pygas Yields ............................................................................... 4-8

4.4 Typical Pyrolysis Gasoline Composition ............................................................... 4-9

4.5 Advanced Pygas Upgrading (APU) Yields and Products...................................... 4-10

SRI Consulting x PEP Report 182B

 TABLES (Continued)

4.6 Analysis of a Typical Crude Coke Oven Light Oil ................................................. 4-15

4.7 Liquid Extraction Processes for the Separation of BTX Aromatics from
Hydrocarbon Mixtures ........................................................................................... 4-24

4.8 Extractive Distillation Processes for the Separtion of BTX

from C6+NonAromatics ......................................................................................... 4-33

4.9 Recent Patents Related to Aromatic/Non-Aromatic Membrane Separation

Patent Summary.................................................................................................... A-5

4.10 Disroportion, Transalkylation, Isomerization Applications and Patents Issued

from January 2007 - September 2008
Patent Summary.................................................................................................... A-7

5.1 Extract Distillation (ED) Column Design Parameters ............................................ 5-1

5.2 Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process

Stream Flow .......................................................................................................... 5-2

5.3 Stripper Column Design Parameters..................................................................... 5-3

5.4 Benzene Recovery from a Hydrotreated Pygas C6 Heart Cut Fraction Via
Morphylane Extractive Distillation
Major Equipment ................................................................................................... 5-4

5.5 Benzene Recovery from a Hydrotreated Pygas C6 Heart Cut Fraction Via
Morphylane Extractive Distillation
Battery Limits Investment ...................................................................................... 5-5

5.6 Benzene Recovery from a Hydrotreated Pygas C6 Heart Cut Fraction Via
Morphylane Extractive Distillation
Utility Costs............................................................................................................ 5-6

5.7 Benzene Recovery from a Hydrotreated Pygas C6 Heart Cut Fraction Via
Morphylane Extractive Distillation
Production Costs ................................................................................................... 5-7

5.8 Single Column Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 5-9

5.9 Single Column Morphylane Divided Wall Column Design Parameters ................ 5-11

5.10 Single Column Morphylane Extractive Distillation Process

Major Equipment ................................................................................................... 5-12

5.11 Single Column Morphylane Divided Wall Extractive Distillation

Total Battery Limits Investment ............................................................................. 5-13

5.12 Single Column Morphylane Divided Wall Extractive Distillation

Utility Costs............................................................................................................ 5-14

SRI Consulting xi PEP Report 182B

 TABLES (Continued)

5.13 Single Column Morphylane Divided Wall Extractive Distillation

Production Costs ................................................................................................... 5-15

6.1 Pygas to BTX, LPG and C6-Raffinate Section 100

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-2

6.2 Pygas to BTX, LPG and C6-Raffinate Section 200

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-4

6.3 Pygas to BTX, LPG and C6-Raffinate Section 300

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-6

6.4 Pygas to BTX, LPG and C6-Raffinate Section 400

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-10

6.5 Shu Design Parameters ........................................................................................ 6-11

6.6 Benzene Heart Cut Hydrotreat Reactor Design Parameters ................................ 6-12

6.7 Hydrocracking/Dealkylation/Transalkylation Reactor Design Parameters............ 6-13

6.8 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX, LPG and C6 Raffinate

Major Equipment ................................................................................................... 6-16

6.9 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX, LPG and C6 Raffinate

Capital Investment................................................................................................. 6-20

6.10 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX, LPG and C6 Raffinate

Capital Investment by Section ............................................................................... 6-21

6.11 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX, LPG and C6 Raffinate

Utility Summary ..................................................................................................... 6-23

6.12 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX, LPG and C6 Raffinate

Production Cost ..................................................................................................... 6-24

6.13 Pygas to BTX and LPG Section 100

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-28

6.14 Pygas to BTX and LPG Section 200

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-31

6.15 Pygas to BTX and LPG Section 300

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-33

6.16 Pygas to BTX and LPG Section 400

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-37

6.17 Pygas to BTX and LPG Section 500

Stream Flows......................................................................................................... 6-38

SRI Consulting xii PEP Report 182B

 TABLES (Concluded)

6.18 Raffinate Reformer

Design Basis.......................................................................................................... 6-41

6.19 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX and LPG

Major Equipment ................................................................................................... 6-43

6.20 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX and LPG

Total Capital Investment........................................................................................ 6-47

6.21 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX and LPG

Capital Investment by Section ............................................................................... 6-48

6.22 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX and LPG

Utility Summary ..................................................................................................... 6-50

6.23 SK Pygas Upgrading Process Producing BTX and LPG

Production Costs ................................................................................................... 6-51

SRI Consulting xiii PEP Report 182B