MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant’s methanol synthesis catalyst, MegaMax 800, has recently demonstrated its excellent performance at the methanol synthesis plant in the by-produced coke oven gas to olefin project of Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co; Ltd., according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.
The 1.5-million-metric-tons-per-annum methanol unit was loaded for the first time with the MegaMax 800 catalyst in June 2018. The superior catalytical performance enabled Baofeng Energy to increase the plant load to 117% design capacity producing 3.7 million metric tons of MTO (Methanol to Olefin) grade methanol in total. This resulted in an increased methanol yield of 160,000 metric tons compared with previous operation performance.
Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Clariant Catalysts stated, “We are very proud that MegaMax 800 performed so extremely well in Baofeng’s methanol synthesis plant in the by-produced coke oven gas to olefin project. We had promised to help Baofeng Energy improve their process efficiency through our innovative solution, and we delivered.”
The MegaMax 800 catalyst exhibited excellent activity at low operating temperatures. The average inlet temperature was 19°C lower at the same steam drum pressure. It also outperformed in carbon efficiency; both inlet and outlet carbon monoxide concentrations were lower by 4-6 points while using similar make-up gas.
Chaoshan Yi, Chief Engineer of Baofeng Energy Group, added, “We were very pleased with the results of the catalyst’s performance, especially the high activity which sets the foundation for the higher yield of the methanol plant. This is the most important reason why we decided to continue with MegaMax 800 and reordered the catalyst for our new load this year.”
Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co; Ltd (Baofeng Energy), is one of Chinese leading coal chemical and new materials enterprises in China. The company relies on the region’s substantial coal resources to build a highly integrated product chain including coal, coke, gas, methanol, olefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, and fine chemicals. Baofeng Energy is now focusing on innovation and incorporating novel technologies to pioneer improvements in coal-to-chemicals processes and clean & highly efficient utilization of coal resources.
As MRC reported earlier, in October 2020, Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland) announced the construction of a new state-of-the-art catalyst production site in China. This project represents a significant investment which further strengthens Clariant’s position in China and enhances its ability to support its customers in the country’s thriving petrochemicals industry.
The new facility will be primarily responsible for producing the Catofin catalyst for propane dehydrogenation, which is used in the production of olefins such as propylene. Thanks to its excellent reliability and productivity, Catofin delivers superior annual production output compared to alternative technologies, resulting in increased overall profitability for propylene producers, says the company. Construction at the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province was scheduled to commence in Q3 2020, and Clariant expects to be at full production capacity by 2022.
Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing PE and polypropylene (PP).
According to MRC's DataScope report, PE imports to Russia decreased in January-November 2020 by 17% year on year and reached 569,900 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the greatest reduction in imports. At the same time, PP imports into Russia increased by 21% year on year to about 202,000 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2020. Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in imports.
Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
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