FRANKFURT, March 25, 2010 - LyondellBasell Industries has expanded its licensing portfolio of olefin recovery and conversion technologies to create a comprehensive offering of processes under the new trademark Trans4m. Trans4m process technologies offer tailored solutions for C4 and higher olefin separation process requirements, as well as isomerization and extraction processes.
The Trans4m portfolio of processes includes catalytic technologies for the selective conversion of low-value, mixed olefin streams from crackers to ethylene, propylene and butene. The Trans4m portfolio of processes also features a comprehensive set of technologies for the separation, purification and isomerization of the C4 and C5 olefin streams of cracker operations.
“By expanding our portfolio of well-proven technologies to include a full range of olefins recovery and conversion processes, we offer licensees a simplified, modular approach to achieving a complete solution,” said Kaspar Evertz, senior vice president, Technology Business – Licensing, for LyondellBasell. “Operators can utilize any combination of Trans4m processes needed, enabling them to more effectively maximize the value of their olefins balance.”
First Trans4m S technology license
The first Trans4m S technology license has been granted to a chemical company in China. The “S” stands for the skeletal isomerization of butene to isobutene, which provides feed to a Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) unit producing high-octane gasoline. “The Trans4m S process isomerizes C4 or C5 olefins to iso-olefins, using a customized, highly selective catalyst, which has a long cycle-time and catalyst life, and can be efficiently regenerated in-situ,” said Evertz. “As a global leader in isobutylene production, with an annual capacity of 700 KT; we can offer this proven technology to the market backed by extensive experience and expertise.”
The Trans4m S process configuration features simple and moderate operating conditions with minimal investment costs. In addition, the process can be integrated with MTBE/Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE) or isobutylene and butene-1 units or tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) units for significantly increased production.
In addition to Trans4m S, LyondellBasell’s complete portfolio of Trans4m chemical technologies and associated services includes:
Trans4m E
Etherification of isobutene to MTBE and ETBE
Trans4m BD
Butadiene extraction process with acetonitrile
Trans4m B
Extractive distillation for separation of saturated C4 products from butene-1/butene-2
Trans4m I
Isomerization of butene-1 to butene-2 or isomerization of pentene-1 to pentene-2.
Trans4m C5
Isoprene, piperylenes and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) separation and purification of the C5 cut from olefin crackers
Further information on LyondellBasell’s Trans4m range can be found on http://www.lyondellbasell.com/Technology/LicensedTechnologies/ChemicalTechnologies/
Note for editorial offices: Press photographs can be downloaded from http://lyondellbasell.mediaroom.com/file.php/322/Channelview1.tif
Photo caption: Based on its extensive operational experience at the company’s chemical sites including Channelview, Texas, LyondellBasell Industries has expanded its licensing portfolio of olefin recovery and conversion technologies to create a comprehensive offering of processes under the new trademark Trans4m. Trans4m process technologies offer tailored solutions for C4 and higher olefin separation process requirements, as well as isomerization and extraction processes.
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LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world’s largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including biofuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) is privately owned by ProChemie GmbH, a joint venture of Access Industries and ProChemie Holding Ltd.
For information, contact:
Media – Waldemar Oldenburger, +49 69 305 854 59 or
waldemar.oldenburger@lyondellbasell.com
