Clariant catalyst successful at styrene monomer production facility

Located in Heze City, Shandong Province, China, the facility began start-up of the catalyst in March 2018, and already reports highly satisfactory results, with increased yields and greater production efficiency.

“Over the past 10 months, the catalyst has demonstrated outstanding results,” said Yandong Zhang, General Manager of Shandong Heze Yuhuang Chemical Co. Ltd. “The productivity of our styrene monomer reached 120% of designed capacity within 3 months of start-up. We achieved nameplate capacity much more quickly than any other catalyst, and we attribute this success to the performance of StyroMax UL3, as well as the engineering support provided by Clariant Catalysts for optimal operation performance.”

The Shandong Yuhuang styrene monomer production unit has improved productivity by 50 000 tpy, which represents a value of approximately US$13 million. Furthermore, the catalyst achieved this favourable performance at a stable steam-to-oil ratio as low as 1.1 by weight, thereby providing additional savings of around US$2.5 million from reduced steam consumption. As StyroMax UL3 is expected to continue its strong performance, Shandong Yuhuang anticipates a total savings of more than US$15 million annually.

Founded in 1986, Shandong Yuhuang has developed from a small private plant into a large, privately-owned company with five production locations, 15 subsidiaries, and more than 5000 employees. The company’s main products include styrene, gasoline, diesel, MTBE, DME, isobutylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene, among others.

Introduced in 2016, StyroMax UL3 was developed to reduce process expenses for styrene producers operating at ultra-low steam-to-oil ratios. Whereas previous catalysts could offer either high activity or selectivity at such conditions, Clariant claims that StyroMax UL3 is the first catalyst to offer both. Its activity increases styrene monomer yields, while its improved selectivity minimises the formation of by-products, such as toluene and benzene, which are typically less valuable than styrene monomer. Due to its suitability for ultra-low steam-to-oil ratio operation, the catalyst reduces steam consumption, thus enabling a more sustainable and economical means of styrene production.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/12022019/clariant-catalyst-successful-at-styrene-monomer-production-facility/