Neorius | Advanced Refining and Chemical Technologies

Conversion of Heavy Aromatics to Light Aromatics Technology

Focusing on the efficient conversion of C10+ heavy aromatics, a novel heavy aromatics cracking catalyst has been developed based on innovations in catalytic materials and catalyst preparation methods. Coupled with a proprietary process intensification technology, this led to the formation of a C10+ heavy aromatics cracking process, which has been successfully implemented at the industrial scale.

Key Features & Benefits

Broad feedstock adaptability

Applicable to aromatic-rich gasoline and diesel, heavy aromatics from catalytic reforming, heavy aromatics from steam cracking, and heavy aromatics from fluid catalytic cracking.

High techno-economic efficiency

Utilizes a fixed-bed process with mild reaction conditions.

High product value

Liquid products are low-carbon aromatics with high purity, suitable as feedstock for aromatic complexes; gas products primarily consist of ethane, propane, and n-butane, which are high-quality feedstocks for ethylene cracking.

High process compatibility

Can be flexibly integrated into fuel-oriented or chemical-oriented refinery schemes.

Process Flow of Conversion of Heavy Aromatics to Light Aromatics Technology

Technical Parameters

Case Study

A certain enterprise operates a 5 Mt/a condensate separation unit, producing 1.5–1.8 Mt/a of diesel. It also runs a continuous catalytic reforming unit with a processing capacity of 2.7 Mt/a, generating 0.14 Mt/a of C10+ heavy aromatics as a by-product. Due to limitations in crude oil processing capacity, the planned 1.6 Mt/a ethylene project faces challenges in feedstock balancing.

Solution：

Construction of a 2 Mt/a diesel adsorption separation unit and a 0.5 Mt/a heavy aromatics cracking unit. The non-aromatic products will serve as high-quality feedstock for ethylene cracking, while the aromatic products will be routed to the heavy aromatics cracking unit to increase BTX production. The new unit will resolve the shortage of ethylene feedstock.

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