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DERIVATIVES
AND
ISOMAR PROCESS
TM
APPLICATION
UOPs Isomar process is used to maximize the recovery
of a particular xylene isomer from a mixture of C8 aromatic isomers.The Isomar process is most often applied
to para-xylene recovery, but it can also be used to maximize the recovery of ortho-xylene or meta-xylene. The
term mixed xylenes is used to describe a mixture of
C8 aromatic isomers containing an equilibrium distribution of para-xylene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, and
ethyl benzene (EB). In the case of para-xylene recovery, a mixed xylenes feed is charged to a ParexTM
process unit where the para-xylene isomer is preferentially extracted at 99.9 wt-% purity and 97 wt-% recovery per pass. The raffinate from the Parex unit, almost
entirely depleted of para-xylene, is then sent to the
Isomar unit. The Isomar unit re-establishes an equilibrium distribution of xylene isomers, essentially creating
additional para-xylene from the remaining ortho- and
meta isomers. Effluent from the Isomar unit is then
recycled back to the Parex unit for recovery of additional para-xylene. In this way, the ortho-and
meta- isomers and EB are recycled to extinction.
para-Xylene
Toluene
Clay
Treater
Mixed
Xylenes
Parex
Xylene
Splitter
H2
Isomar
Dehept
Column
Clay
Treater
A9+
PROCESS CHEMISTRY
There are two broad categories of xylene isomerization
catalysts: EB isomerization catalysts, which convert
Process Chemistry
Xylene Isomerization:
CH3
CH3 Acid
CH3
CH3
Acid
CH3
Ortho-xylene
EB Dealkylation:
C2H5
Acid
CH3
Para-xylene
Meta-xylene
+ C2H4
Metal
H2
+ C2H6
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
An Isomar unit is always combined with a recovery unit
for one or more xylene isomers. Usually it is combined
with the Parex process for recovery of para-xylene, as
shown in the Parex-Isomar flow scheme. In the ParexIsomar flow scheme, fresh mixed xylenes are fed to the
xylene column, which can be designed either to recover
ortho-xylene in the bottoms or simply reject C9+ aromatic
components in order to meet feed specifications to the
Parex unit. The xylene column overhead is then directed
to the Parex unit, where 99.9 wt-% para-xylene is produced at 97 wt-% recovery per pass. The raffinate form
the Parex unit, containing less than 1 wt-% para-xylene, is
sent to the Isomar unit.
Isomar Process
Parex
Raffinate
Fuel Gas
Charge
Heater
Purge
Gas
Reactor
Separator
To Platformer
Debut
Deheptanizer
Steam
Clay
Treater
Makeup
Hydrogen
To
Xylene
Splitter
PROCESS PERFORMANCE
The best way to compare xylene isomerization catalyst is to
measure the overall para-xylene yield from the Parex-
ECONOMICS
A summary of the investment cost and the utility consumption for a typical I-210 Isomar unit is shown in the
table below. The basis for this case is an Isomar unit processing 1,840 KMTA (40,000 BPSD) of a raffinate from a
Parex unit. The investment cost is limited to the Isomar
unit, deheptanizer column, and downstream clay treater.
The estimated inside battery limits erected cost for the
unit assumes construction on a U.S. Gulf Coast site in
1999. The scope of the estimate includes engineering,
procurement, erection of equipment on site, and the initial
load of I-9 catalyst.
Parex-Isomar Yields
Based on Fresh Mixed Xylenes Feed
Product Yield, wt% of Feed
100
91.1
90
84.5
87.3
91.0
84.0
80
76.5
70
60
50
I-9 Catalyst
I-100/I-300
Catalyst
Utility Consumption
Electric power, kW
High pressure steam, MT/hr
Cooling water, m3/h
Fuel fired, Gcal/hr
I-210 Catalyst
Para-xylene
Benzene
743
15
824
22
COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE
uop
29
TM
UOP L L C
25 East Algonquin Road
Des Plaines, Il 60017-5017
3