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Source: HANDBOOK OF PETROLEUM REFINING PROCESSES

CHAPTER 10.7

UOP MOLEX PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF NORMAL PARAFFINS


Stephen W. Sohn
UOP LLC Des Plaines, Illinois

DISCUSSION
The separation of normal paraffins from isoparaffins is done commercially for a number of reasons. In the lighter hydrocarbon range, isoparaffins are often more desirable because of their higher octane values and their superior gasoline alkylation characteristics. In the heavier range, normal paraffins are typically the desired product because of the benefits derived from their linearity in the production of plasticizers, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, detergent alcohols, and ethoxylates. This chapter discusses the specific application of the UOP* Molex* process to the separation of normal paraffins from isoparaffins. Although not limited in its application to a particular processing mode or carbon number, the Molex process is most often used in the recovery of normal paraffins for plasticizer and detergent-range applications. Typical carbon numbers are C6 to C10 for plasticizers, C10 to C14 for linear alkylbenzenes, and C10 to C18 for detergent alcohols. The UOP Molex process is an established, commercially proven method for the liquidphase adsorptive separation of normal paraffins from isoparaffins and cycloparaffins using the UOP Sorbex* separations technology (see Chap. 10.3), which uses zeolitic adsorbents. Isothermal liquid-phase operation facilitates the processing of heavy and broad-range feedstocks. Vapor-phase operations, in addition to having considerable heating and cooling requirements, require large variations of temperature or pressure or both through the adsorption-desorption cycle to make an effective separation. Vapor-phase operations also tend to leave a certain residual level of coke on the adsorbent, which must then be regenerated on a cyclic basis. Operation in the liquid phase allows for uninterrupted continuous operation over many years without regenerations. Refer to Chap. 10.3 for details of the operation of this separations technology. Figure 10.7.1 illustrates the general design characteristics of such units.
*Trademark and/or service mark of UOP.

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UOP MOLEX PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF NORMAL PARAFFINS 10.76


SEPARATION PROCESSES

FIGURE 10.7.1

UOP Molex process design characteristics.

YIELD STRUCTURE
Typically, a UOP Molex process unit produces normal paraffins at about 99 wt % purity and at about 98 wt % recovery, depending on the amount of adsorbent used relative to the volume of feed.

ECONOMICS
To a certain extent, the economics of the UOP Molex unit is dependent on the feed quality, because some prefractionation and hydrotreating may be required to control the level of contaminants that might otherwise affect unit performance or adsorbent life. If the feed is assumed to have been properly treated, the estimated erected cost of a UOP Molex unit, feeding 383,000 metric tons per year (MTA) (844 million lb/year) of a paraffinic kerosene in the C10 to C15 range with about 34 percent normal paraffins, was about $25 million in 1995. This unit was designed for the recovery of 96,000 MTA (211 million lb/year) of normal paraffins at 99 percent purity. This cost represents the fully erected cost within battery limits for a particular UOP Molex unit. The utility requirements for such a unit per metric ton of product are as follows: Electric power, kWh Hot-oil heat, 103J/h (Btu/h) Cooling water circulated [15C (27F]) rise], m3 (gal) 54.3 120 (114) 5.1 (180)

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UOP MOLEX PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF NORMAL PARAFFINS


UOP MOLEX PROCESS FOR NORMAL PARAFFINS

10.77

COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE
As of early 2002, a total of 26 UOP Molex process units had been commissioned. Another three were in various stages of design or construction. Product capacities ranged from 2500 MTA (5.5 million lb/year) to 155,000 MTA (340 million lb/year).

Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website.

UOP MOLEX PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF NORMAL PARAFFINS

Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website.

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