(91c) Operating Experience with Chevron Phillips' Back End E-Series Acetylene Converter Catalyst

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical) has been a commercial producer of ethylene since the 1950s. Chevron Phillips Chemical operates six ethylene plants which include Front End Deethanizer acetylene converters and Back End acetylene converters. Chevron Phillips Chemical has over 30 years of experience as a leader in acetylene hydrogenation technology. Chevron Phillips Chemical's E-Series catalyst for the Back End converter, E-Series catalyst formulation BE E-1, is formulated to mitigate/reduce the green oil fouling and maintain activity and selectivity throughout the run. The E-Series Back End catalyst has several operational advantages: the green oil product is translucent and has a lighter molecular weight compared to green oil produced from other commercial catalysts, the catalyst provides longer converter run lengths due reduced green oil fouling risks, and the catalyst maintains a higher selectivity at the start of run with less selectivity loss throughout the run compared to other catalysts.

Chevron Phillips Chemical's Port Arthur Plant operates a Back End converter with the E-Series catalyst. Back End converters are located on the de-ethanizer overhead stream that is fed to the ethylene fractionator after the demethanizer. The converter beds were loaded in January 2006, and started-up in February 2006 and are running at present. The catalyst run length and selectivity has more than doubled with the new catalyst installation; expected run length is 14 months. The economic benefits related to E-Series catalyst in operation come from the increased ethylene production, decreased ethane recycle to the furnaces, and future impact of longer run lengths between regenerations.

This paper will discuss Chevron Phillips' experience operating the E-Series catalyst in its Back End converters at the Port Arthur Plant.