Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics’ “Technology for Catalytic Conversion of Naphtha to Aromatics” passed the scientific and technological achievement evaluation

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The “Catalytic Conversion of Naphtha to Aromatics Technology” developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics passed the evaluation of scientific and technological achievements. Author/Source: Modern Coal Chemical Engineering. Date: December 5, 2022. Clicks: 25. On December 1, the team led by Academician Liu Zhongmin from the Department of Low-Carbon Catalysis and Engineering (DNL12) at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, in collaboration with a certain energy group, had their proprietary “Catalytic Conversion of Naphtha to Aromatics Technology” evaluated through a video conference, as organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (hereinafter referred to as “CPICF”). The evaluation meeting was chaired by Wang Xiujiang, deputy director of the Science, Technology and Equipment Department of the Petrochemical Federation. Academician Xie Kechang served as the chairman of the evaluation committee, while Academicians He Mingyuan and Bao Xinhe acted as its deputy chairmen. At the meeting, Researcher Ye Mao from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics delivered a presentation titled “Technology for Catalytic Conversion of Naphtha to Aromatics,” in which he introduced the project background, technical approach, innovative aspects, and intellectual property status. Researcher Yu Zhengxi and Associate Researcher Zhang Tao presented the reports titled “Pilot Study and Catalyst Scale-up Report” and “Pilot Plant Study Report” respectively. The experts from the evaluation committee carefully examined the relevant appraisal materials and novelty search reports, and discussed various technical issues as well as the prospects for the application of these technologies with the R&D team. Finally, the experts of the evaluation committee concluded that the technology for catalytic conversion of coal tar oil into aromatics using a fluidized bed features strong innovation, wide adaptability to various feedstocks, independent intellectual property rights, and is overall at the international leading level. It is recommended to accelerate the industrialization process and establish an industrial demonstration facility at an early date. Based on a thorough understanding of the reaction mechanism for the catalytic conversion of naphtha to aromatics, the project team innovatively proposed a new technical approach for the catalytic conversion of coal-based naphtha into aromatics. High-performance metal-molecular sieve catalysts, along with corresponding efficient fluidized-bed reactors and processes, have been developed ； The kiloton-scale pilot test was completed, yielding the basic data required for the preparation of the process package, which laid a solid technical foundation for the construction of the industrial plant. Pilot test results show that high rates of naphtha conversion and selectivity for the products (ethylene + propylene + BTX) can be achieved when using naphtha derived from direct coal liquefaction with naphthenes as the main component, hydrogenated naphtha from indirect coal liquefaction with alkanes as the main component, washed naphtha from indirect coal liquefaction with olefins as the main component, and heavy naphtha from direct coal liquefaction. This indicates that this technology has broad adaptability to various feedstocks. At the same time, by-products such as propane and C4 can also be aromatized on the same catalyst, further increasing the yield of aromatics. This technology will be of great significance for promoting the development of industrial routes for coal-based aromatics and the upgrading of aromatics technologies. This work is supported by projects such as the Class A Pilot Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, “Key Technologies and Demonstrations for Efficient Coal Conversion”, and major projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.