Yangzi Petrochemical Company Secures A Commanding Lead in the Global Area of Aromatics Hydrodeolefinization Technology

On February 10, 2015 the Yangzi Petrochemical Company (YPC) had successfully put on stream at the first attempt the revamped unit for olefins removal through hydrotreating of reformate delivered from the No. 2 continuous catalytic reforming (CCR) unit, with all production indicators complying with the design targets after optimization and rectification of operating variables. This unit adopts the technology for selective hydrodeolefinization of reformate (FHDO) jointly developed by YPC and the Fushun Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals (FRIPP). The once-through service life of the catalyst HDO-18 can reach more than three years prior to one regeneration for reuse, and the precious metals in the catalyst can be recovered, which has cut the Gordian knot associated with short operating cycle of traditional olefins removal technique and tough environmental impact. The reformate after hydrotreating can reduce its bromine index by more than 85%, among which the bromine index in the C6/C7fraction can be reduced by over 92%, and that in the C8

+fraction can be reduced by over 94%, with the aromatics loss in reformate being less than 0.5% to meet the expected target. The application of this technology can fully meet the demand of the downstream units for bromine index in the feedstock to completely replace the clay treatment of reformate, which can bring about apparent social and economical benefits.