Houston-based energy solutions firm Lummus Technology has secured a deal from IndianOil Corp. Ltd. (IOCL) to implement its Versalis/Lummus cumene technology in IOCL’s 440 kiloton-per-annum (KTA) unit in Paradip, India.
The new cumene unit will be part of a grassroots petrochemical and polymers expansion at IOCL’s complex in Paradip, Lummus said in a news release. The scope of Lummus includes technology license for the cumene technology, basic design engineering, proprietary catalyst, site services, advisory services, and training.
“Our cumene technology will offer IndianOil lower energy costs, reliability, operational efficiency and exceptional product yield, which will help them optimize their plant economics and support their growth initiatives,” Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer for Polymers and Petrochemicals at Lummus Technology, said.
“We look forward to continue working with IndianOil on another successful project and building on our long-time relationship,” Lemoine added.
Since 2007, Lummus and Versalis have partnered to license cumene technologies. The cumene process is a liquid-phase alkylation technology using a proprietary zeolite catalyst and is characterized by a very high cumene yield, ultra-high purity cumene product and a long catalyst run length, Lummus stated.
According to the Lummus website, the Versalis/Lummus Technology cumene process produces cumene by alkylation of benzene with propylene. It is based on Versalis’ proprietary zeolite catalyst PBE-1, which has been used in commercial operation since the late 1990s.
IndianOil has licensed multiple Lummus technologies, including naphtha crackers, INDMAX FCC and polypropylene technologies at its complexes across India, according to the release.
Lummus, Braskem to Partner on Electrified Cracking Heater for Decarbonization
In a separate press release, Lummus and bio-based polymer producer Braskem have partnered to carry out joint studies in relation to the industrial demonstration of Lummus’ SRT-eTM electric cracking heater to decarbonize one of Braskem’s sites in Brazil.
The joint study will set the basis for the eventual negotiation between Lummus and Braskem. It aims to have a definitive agreement that will, among other things, establish the general guidelines by which such implementation will take place, the release said.
“The selection of Lummus’ SRT-e electric cracking heater as a means to decarbonize Braskem’ ethylene plants are founded on a shared commitment to develop and implement profitable sustainable technologies and solutions,” Jose de Barros, Lummus Vice President and Managing Director of Ethylene, said.
“We look forward to demonstrating our breakthrough electrification technology that drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.
“Our ambition is to considerably reduce CO2 emissions and increase the sustainability of our products through innovation, in-house developments, and important partnerships. Lummus’ SRT-e technology will help Braskem achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, which will help increase energy efficiency at our crackers,” Antonio Queiroz, Braskem VP for Innovation, Technology and Sustainable Development, remarked.
“Expanding the use of renewable electricity and renewable materials will enable Braskem to reduce its carbon footprint in the production of ethylene, propylene and other chemicals,” Queiroz added.
According to the news release, the SRT-e electric cracking heater leverages Lummus’ proven Short Residence Time (SRT) technology modified to operate using electricity and incorporates a modular unit-cell design that can be replicated for plants to accommodate any commercial capacity.
Lummus noted that it has supplied heat transfer equipment and systems to the process and power industries for more than 80 years.
According to the release, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the USA, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.
Lummus Technology describes itself as the global leader in developing technology solutions that make modern life possible. It licenses process technologies in clean fuels, renewables, petrochemicals, polymers, gas processing and supplies lifecycle services, catalysts, proprietary equipment, and digitalization to customers worldwide.
To contact the author, email rocky.teodoro@rigzone.com
