Two Chinese petrochemical producers have selected UOP process technology to help meet growing demand for high-value petrochemicals in China. Shandong Huachao Chemical Co. Ltd. will use the UOP C4 Oleflex(TM) process to produce isobutylene, a key ingredient for fuels and synthetic rubber.

In addition, Zibo Qixiang Tengda Chemical Co. Ltd. will use the UOP Butamer(TM) process to transform normal butane to isobutane and UOP's C3/C4 Oleflex process to convert isobutane to isobutylene and propane to propylene for the production of plastics. Both companies are located in Shandong Province on China's East Coast.

The Shandong Huachao project will be the sixth C4 Oleflex unit in China, and the Zibo Qixiang Tengda project is the third combined C3/C4 Oleflex license UOP has been awarded. The new units are expected to start up in 2016. The Shandong Huachao facility will process 200,000 metric tons of isobutane and the Zibo Qixiang Tengda facility will process 400,000 metric tons of propane and butane feedstocks.

In addition to the technology licensing, UOP will provide the engineering design, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, staff training and technical service for both projects. The UOP Oleflex process converts propane to propylene and isobutane to isobutylene using catalytic dehydrogenation. Compared with competing processes, Honeywell's UOP Oleflex technology provides the smallest environmental footprint, the lowest cash cost of production and the high return on investment.

In addition, unique to the Oleflex process, independent reaction and regeneration systems are in place that allow continuous use of catalysts for steady-state operations (non swing-bed), which helps maximize operating flexibility, up time and reliability.