HIGH-PURITY BTX PRODUCTS THROUGH SMART EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY
BTX Aromatics Extraction
The AROMEX technology is an innovative process designed for the treatment of BTX-rich aromatic fractions from reformers or FCC units.
Our AROMEX solution offers refineries a cost-effective and comprehensive approach to addressing the benzene challenge.
It is a state-of-the-art extractive distillation process using various solvents to achieve high-purity separation of BTX aromatics.
Technology Overview
The feedstocks used in the AROMEX process are BTX-aromatic-rich fractions derived from reformers or FCC units.
The AROMEX process yields high-purity BTX aromatics, including: benzene for synthesis, toluene with TDI-grade purity or m-, p- or o-xylenes for chemical synthesis.
In the AROMEX process, the conventional light and heavy reformate splitters used for benzene separation are replaced by a high-efficiency divided wall column. This enables the recovery of a benzene-rich fraction known as heart cut (HC), which also contains toluene and o-, m-, and p-xylene, beside benzene-lean light and heavy reformates. This benzene-rich heart cut is further processed into high-purity benzene (>99 vol.%) for chemical synthesis via a BTX extractive distillation unit, offered by EDL in collaboration with a technology partner.
By using glycols such as DEG, TEG, or TTEG, as well as mixtures with NMP as solvents, we achieve significantly more efficient BTX aromatics recovery compared to conventional sulfolane-based processes.
The AROMEX technology offers an economically optimized overall solution - whether implemented as a revamp of existing units or as a new plant installation.
Significant advantages of the AROMEX process are:
- Throughput increase of 20 to 30 percent
- Reduction in energy consumption by 10 to 50 percent
- Cost-effective and improved process control
- Reduced corrosion issues
- Extensive use of existing equipment
- Payback period between three and six months
