KBR, a global provider of professional services and technologies, said it has developed a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology (K-Pro) that offers high propylene selectivity and conversion.

This technology is based on KBR's catalytic olefins technology (K-Cot) which is a commercially proven fluidised-bed technology for converting low-value olefinic, paraffinic or mixed streams into high-value propylene and ethylene, said a statement from the company.

K-Pro delivers significant capital cost and operating cost advantages when compared with conventional designs, it said.

This arises from its fluidised-bed design which delivers reliable operation and high on-stream factors when compared with fixed or moving bed reactors.  

K-Pro technology combines the know-how and experience of K-Cot with a novel high selectivity, low-cost, dehydrogenation catalyst that does not require precious metals.

Plants based on this new technology will be designed as stand-alone propylene production units independent of a steam cracker or a FCC unit.

Additionally, existing PDH operating units can be easily modified to benefit from the superior process performance and lower operating cost.

John Derbyshire, KBR president – technology, said: “K-Pro is a further evolution and extension of our company’s pioneering work in catalytic cracking process technology.”

“The Cape savings for K-Pro over other commercially available technologies is in the range 20-30 per cent based on our internal studies,” he said.

“In addition the FCC-based design will deliver higher on-stream factors and much better energy efficiency when compared with existing designs. Our clients have every reason to be excited about this newest addition to our olefins technology portfolio,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service