Catalytic Cracking of Distillate Fractions for Higher Olefin and BTX Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refinery processes for producing lower carbon olefins and BTX from hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oils are limited in maximizing yield and efficiency, particularly in adapting to different hydrocarbon compositions and cutting temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil, where the oil is cut into light and heavy distillate fractions, with specific ratios and temperatures, and subjected to sequential catalytic pyrolysis in down-flow and up-flow reactors, along with fluidized bed reactors, to optimize the production of lower carbon olefins and BTX.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil is processed using conventional refinery processes, then basic organic raw materials can be produced, but the yield is limited and cannot be maximized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield of lower carbon olefins and BTXVSAvoidadaptability to different hydrocarbon compositions and cutting temperatures
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the cutting temperature range (200-400°C) to separate feedstock into light and heavy distillates, adjusting catalyst-to-oil ratios (10:1 to 50:1), and controlling reaction temperatures (500-700°C) in sequential reactors to maximize yield while adapting to different feedstock compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil into light distillate and heavy distillate fractions through cutting at specific temperatures, then processes each fraction through different reactor configurations (down-flow followed by up-flow reactors) to optimize the production of lower carbon olefins and BTX from each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the cutting temperature is adjusted to optimize yield, then production efficiency improves, but the complexity of process control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of process control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the cutting operation at 200-400°C before the main pyrolysis reactions, pre-separating the feedstock into light and heavy distillates with defined composition ranges. This preliminary classification simplifies subsequent process control by establishing predictable feed compositions for each reactor stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If catalyst ratios are optimized to increase yield, then production of lower carbon olefins and BTX improves, but by-products like dry gas and coke increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield of lower carbon olefins and BTXVSAvoidby-products (dry gas and coke)
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the catalytic conversion process into two sequential reactor stages: a down-flow reactor for initial cracking and an up-flow reactor for further conversion. This segmentation allows optimization of catalyst ratios at each stage, with the up-flow reactor specifically designed to convert intermediate products into lower carbon olefins and BTX while minimizing dry gas and coke formation through controlled catalyst-to-oil ratios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the catalyst-to-oil ratio in the range of 10:1 to 50:1 and maintaining reaction temperatures between 500-700°C in the up-flow reactor. These parameter optimizations maximize the production of desired lower carbon olefins and BTX while suppressing side reactions that would produce unwanted dry gas and coke by-products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The process enhances the yield of lower carbon olefins and BTX by adjusting catalyst ratios and reactor conditions, reducing by-products like dry gas and coke, and improving the overall economic efficiency of the production process.

Implementation Method 1

the catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-containing raw oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalytic pyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

introducing a continuous catalyst, the heavy distillate oil and a second catalyst into a second up-flow reactor to perform a third catalytic pyrolysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

cutting the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil into a light distillate oil and a heavy distillate oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

the spent catalyst is sent to a regenerator to perform the coke-burning and regeneration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4219664B1Method for producing low-carbon olefins and BTX by catalytically cracking hydrocarbon-containing raw oil
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORP
  • EP4219664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219664B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A process and apparatus for producing lower carbon olefins and BTX by catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil, and the process comprises the steps: cutting the hydrocarbon-containing feedstock oil into a light distillate oil and a heavy distillate oil; introducing the light distillate oil and a first catalyst into a down-flow reactor to perform a catalytic pyrolysis to produce a stream after the first catalytic pyrolysis; subjecting the stream after the first catalytic pyrolysis to a gas-solid separation to produce a first reaction hydrocarbon product and a first spent catalyst; or, introducing the stream after the first catalytic pyrolysis into a fluidized bed reactor to perform a catalytic pyrolysis, and then subjecting to a gas-solid separation to produce a second reaction hydrocarbon product and a second spent catalyst; introducing a continuous catalyst, the heavy distillate oil and a second catalyst into an up-flow reactor to perform a catalytic pyrolysis, and then subjecting to a gas-solid separation to produce a third reaction hydrocarbon product and a third spent catalyst; separating out lower carbon olefins and light aromatics from reaction hydrocarbon products, and separating out a light olefin fraction, and returning the light olefin fraction to the fluidized bed reactor or the up-flow reactor. The process can significantly increase the yields of lower carbon olefins and light aromatics as well as the economy of the apparatus.