Honeywell has announced OOO ZapSibNeftekhim, a subsidiary of PJSC Sibur Holding, will revamp one of its facilities in western Siberia that uses Honeywell UOP C3 Oleflex technology to increase propylene production. The revamp will enable the Russian company to increase production of propylene by more than 8 percent, to 561,000 metric tons per year, to meet the growing demand for propylene derivates used in polymer production.

 

UOP provides technology licensing and basic engineering design, in addition to services, equipment, catalysts and adsorbents for the unit.

 

Since 2011, the majority of new dehydrogenation projects globally have been based on UOP C3 Oleflex technology. Global production capacity of propylene from Oleflex technology currently stands at approximately 10.2 million metric tons per year.

 

“We are modernizing a propane dehydrogenation unit using  Honeywell UOP C3 Oleflex technology to cost-effectively boost its performance, reliability and operations,” said Maxim Rogov, General Director of OOO ZapSibNeftekhim. “The global olefin market is growing by 3-4% per year, so scaling up capacity at this plant will help us participate in the growing market for products made from propylene while reducing production costs."

 

Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex technology converts propane to propylene through catalytic dehydrogenation. The technology is designed to have a lower cash cost of production and higher return on investment when compared to competing dehydrogenation technologies. Its low energy consumption, low emissions and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system helps minimize its impact on the environment. The independent reactor and regeneration design of the Oleflex technology helps maximize operating flexibility and onstream reliability.

 

"As one of the fastest growing petrochemical companies in the world, SIBUR continues to invest in UOP technology to address the growing demand for propylene products with our on-purpose propylene process," said Laura Leonard, vice president and general manager, Honeywell UOP Process Technologies. “Oleflex technology helps SIBUR meet the demand for propylene derivatives in Russia by creating a consistent supply of propylene.”

OOO ZapSibNeftekhim is the largest petrochemical complex in Russia, with a total capacity of 2.5 million metric tons per year of base polymers (1.5 million metric tons per year of polyethylene and 1 million metric tons per year of polypropylene). Located in the Tyumen region, it processes by-products of crude oil and gas production in Western Siberia.