(483e) Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO). Bipin Vora’s Key Role in the Development of the UOP/Hydro MTO Process Technology

My association with Bipin Vora started when Norsk Hydro of Norway and UOP formed a team for the joint development of the Methanol to Olefins technology in 1991. UOP had invented a new group of materials, silica alumina phosphates (SAPO), and had shown that in particular the SAPO-34 material was very selective for the methanol to olefins reaction. On the UOP side, it was then the task of Bipin Vora to secure R&D funding from the management of UOP. Bipin Vora was successful for having a budget for the project based on his global outlook for the future availability of low-cost methanol. Norsk Hydro developed a similar view in the late 1980’ies on future availability of low-cost methanol, especially based on stranded Natural Gas, and saw Methanol-To-Olefins as a possible new route since this would open up for a new feedstock for the production of polymers. Through introductory laboratory work we con-firmed the potential of SAPO-34 as a catalyst for the methanol to olefins reaction. Therefore, since Norsk Hydro shared the same vision for MTO as developed by Bipin Vora in UOP, Norsk Hydro joined forces with UOP in 1991 for the development of the technology. Hydro’s most important contribution to the development has been the construction and operation of an MTO Demo Plant in Norway. In 2008, the internationally leading chemical company INEOS acquired Norsk Hydro’s petrochemical business and the MTO business was transferred to INEOS (Inovyn). Bipin Vora was a continuous and very constructive force behind the UOP/ Norsk Hydro MTO team till he retired at the end of 2006. This presentation will highlight the key role Bipin Vora played in the joint development of the MTO-technology, from the early start till the technology was announced available for licensing in 1995 and thereafter the successful commercialization of MTO Process.