7 November 2013
Details
BP today announced two new technologies
for the production of key petrochemical feedstocks,
1. Acetic acid from Syngas production technology and
2. Ethanol to Ethylene production technology
Both techologies were developed over a number of years at
BP's advanced laboratories at
the Hull Research and Technology Centre (HRTC),
alongside its acetic acid manufacturing site,
Europe's largest, at Saltend, Hull, UK.
Acetic Acid from Syngas : BP's new production technology
- Acetic Acid is a versatile intermediates chemical used in
a variety of products such as
* paints, adhesives and solvents
* as well as the production of PTA,
used extensively in polyester manufacture.
- BP's Breakthrough is a process for
conversion of synthesis gas
(carbon monoxide and hydrogen
derived from hydrocarbons such as natural gas)
directly to acetic acid
in a proprietary, integrated three-step process,
that avoids the need to purify carbon monoxide or purchase methanol.
- The new acetic acid from syngas production technology
is expected to deliver a significant reduction in
variable manufacturing costs and
lead to capital efficiencies compared to
the carbonylation of methanol routes
which has been the leading technoloy for several decades.
BP Global Petrochemicals Business,
Nick Elmslie, Chief Executive
- Acetic Acid from Syngas production technology
is the most significant development for acetic acid production
in 40 years and adds to our portfolio of leading technologies.
- The principle advantage of
the new BP's acetic acid from syngas production technology are that
* it eliminates the need to purify carbon monoxide,
* does not require the purchase of methanol and
* contains no iodides reducing the need for exotic metallurgy.
BP,
Nick Howard, Technology Vice President, Conversion
- BP is actively exploring options for commercialising both technologies
1.Acetic Acid from Syngas production technology
is planned for deployment in
the future acetic acid investments whilst
2.Ethanol to Ethylene production technology
is a licensing play for BP.
- These two new processes, develop in-house at Hull,
show the significant value technology brings to
our chemical business.
WWW.CHEMWINFO.COM BY KHUN PHICHAI
