Chinese private-sector producer Hengli Petrochemical has raised runs of its new mixed-feed dehydrogenation (MDH) and polypropylene (PP) units at its Changxing complex to full operating rates this week.
Hengli achieved full commissioning of its 400,000 b/d Changxing refinery in north China's Dalian on 17 May and targeted full capacity operations by this month.
The MDH unit, using ABB Lummus's Catofin technology, utilizes 500,000 t/yr of propane and 800,000 t/yr of isobutylene from Hengli's refinery. It produces 450,000 t/yr propylene and 800,000 t/yr isobutylene at full capacity. Propylene is used for downstream 450,000 t/yr PP production, mainly for the raffia grade. Isobutylene is partly used to make MTBE and the rest for acrylate production.
Hengli has not yet run its 820,000 t/yr MTBE unit at a full operating rate and only produces the required volumes based on its gasoline production.
Hengli joins other Chinese MDH units at Shandong Chambroad, Shandong Shenchi, Shandong Qixiang Tengda and Dongming Petrochemical, all located in nearby Shandong province.
