BTX Production from Mixed Hydrocarbons via Aromatic Ring Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process for producing BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylene) from hydrocarbon feedstocks has a relatively low yield, limiting the production of high-value petrochemical products.

Innovation Solution

A process involving pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon feedstream, followed by aromatic ring opening of C9+ hydrocarbons, and recovery of BTX from pyrolysis gasoline, using specific catalysts and conditions to optimize the yield of BTX products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If C9+ hydrocarbon-containing fraction is separated and purged from pyrolysis products, then the separation process is simplified, but the aromatics yield is relatively low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation process simplicityVSAvoidaromatics yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the C9+ hydrocarbon-containing fraction as waste or low-value byproduct, the invention recovers it and subjects it to aromatic ring opening conversion. This converts the previously discarded fraction into valuable BTX aromatics, thereby increasing overall aromatics yield while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical state of C9+ hydrocarbons by subjecting them to aromatic ring opening conversion under specific conditions (temperature, pressure, catalyst). This parameter change transforms low-value C9+ fraction into high-value BTX aromatics, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If conventional pyrolysis and separation processes are used, then the process is straightforward, but the yield of high-value petrochemical products such as BTX is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess straightforwardnessVSAvoidBTX yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the hydrocarbon feed processing into distinct functional units: pyrolysis unit, aromatic ring opening unit, and BTX recovery unit. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall process straightforwardness and achieving higher BTX yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary pyrolysis conversion of the hydrocarbon feed to generate C9+ fraction before subjecting it to aromatic ring opening. This preliminary action prepares the feedstock in a form that maximizes subsequent BTX production, thereby increasing overall yield while keeping the process straightforward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process significantly improves the yield of BTX products, achieving higher production levels while maintaining hydrogen balance and producing sufficient hydrogen for process needs.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting a pyrolysis feedstream comprising hydrocarbons to pyrolysis to produce pyrolysis gasoline and C9+ hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

subjecting C9+ hydrocarbons to aromatic ring opening to produce BTX

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS10563136B2Process for producing BTX from a mixed hydrocarbon source using pyrolysis

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for producing BTX, comprising pyrolysis, aromatic ring opening and BTX recovery. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process installation to convert a pyrolysis feedstream into BTX, comprising a pyrolysis unit, an aromatic ring opening and a BTX recovery unit.