Aromatics treatment (Olgone℠)
A high-performance, highly stable catalyst is at the heart of the Olgone℠ process. This technology is designed to extend cycles of existing aromatic stream treaters and to reduce or eliminate the amount of solid waste generated. The outstanding performance of the Olgone process can lead to significant operating cost savings as well as debottlenecking opportunities. The Olgone process is also licensed by Axens as part of the ParamaX® technology suite for grassroots aromatics complexes.
Olgone flowscheme
The following simplified flowscheme shows locations where the Olgone process can be deployed in a typical fractionation and recovery section of an aromatics complex.
Other benefits include:
- Better downstream protection – longer cycles reduce the risk of exceeding downstream unit Bromine Index (BI) specifications and the potential for resultant damage to sensitive catalysts and molecular sieves.
- Reduced change-out frequency – reduced labor-intensive and costly clay treater change-outs and a more stable and trouble-free operation.
Life cycle support:
- Initial discussions to confirm client objectives and tailor the solution
- Detailed yield estimate
- Feasibility study
- Commercial proposal
- Process design package
- Technology transfer, training, catalyst loading and startup support
- Technology improvement
- Performance monitoring and technical assistance throughout the life of the catalyst
Long operating cycles and reduced solid waste
Unlike traditional clay treating processes, the Olgone process uses a proprietary catalyst that achieves cycles up to 6 times that of clay. The catalyst is regenerable and can be reused multiple times, meaning solid waste generation is significantly reduced. When the Olgone catalyst is used by itself, all solid waste can be eliminated. Spent clay typically represents 25-60% of the total solid waste generated in a modern aromatics complex. Our unparalleled Olgone process has reduced clay waste in one of ExxonMobil’s facilities by 85% per year.
Simple transition to Olgone
Capital savings: Retrofit or grassroots
The long cycles of treaters operating the Olgone process can translate into substantial cost savings. Fewer change-outs result in significantly lower clay costs. In some cases the longer cycle length provided by the Olgone process can allow a facility limited by clay treatment capacity to avoid installing additional clay treaters. In grassroots applications, treater vessels can be smaller, thereby reducing capital costs.
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