Dow to Retrofit Louisiana Cracker With Fluidized Catalytic Dehydrogenation (FCDh) Technology to Produce On-Purpose Propylene
August 20 2019 - 7:30AM
Business Wire
- Proprietary FCDh technology can reduce capital outlay by ~25%,
lower energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions by ~20%
- Low-cost, high-return retrofit enhances integration, enables
reliable supply of additional >100,000 metric tons of propylene
to meet growing demand across core end-markets
As part of the Company’s current slate of low capital intensity,
high-return incremental growth investments, Dow (NYSE: DOW) today
announced it will retrofit proprietary fluidized catalytic
dehydrogenation (FCDh) technology into one of its mixed-feed
crackers in Plaquemine, Louisiana, to produce on-purpose propylene.
The retrofit will enable Dow to continue to meet growing demand for
its businesses serving consumer, infrastructure and packaging
end-markets, while also remaining within its stated near-term
capital expenditure targets.
In 2016, Dow expanded the ethylene capacity of this same cracker
by more than 225,000 metric tons and added the ability to crack
ethane, while maintaining the flexibility to crack propane, butane
and naphtha.
Dow and other U.S. cracker operators are consuming more ethane
instead of heavier feed slates, resulting in a reduction of
coproduct production, including propylene. This reduction in
propylene has created a supply/demand gap in the U.S. that requires
additional on-purpose propylene sources to meet the needs of
downstream derivatives.
The FCDh technology retrofit further improves Dow’s ability to
continue to source the most advantaged feedstocks, while also
producing reliable and cost-efficient on-purpose propylene to
supply its integrated derivative units in Louisiana. The technology
can also reduce capital outlay by up to 25 percent and lower energy
usage and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent, thereby
improving overall sustainability when compared to conventional
propane dehydrogenation technologies.
The retrofit will enable production of more than 100,000 metric
tons of additional on-purpose propylene at full run-rate, further
back-integrating Dow’s derivative facilities to cost-advantaged
propylene while also maintaining the unit’s current ethylene
production capacity. The project is expected to begin producing
on-purpose propylene by the end of 2021.
“Deploying FCDh technology supports Dow’s continued focus on
delivering low-risk, low-cost and high-return projects while
reducing the energy intensity and carbon footprint associated with
conventional technologies,” said Keith Cleason, vice president of
Dow’s Olefins, Aromatics & Alternatives business. “Retrofitting
our Plaquemine cracker will enhance asset utilization and leverage
the U.S. shale gas advantage to meet growing customer demand for
Dow’s differentiated polyolefins products.”
Dow’s licensable FCDh technology won R&D100 and ICIS Process
Technology Innovation awards in 2017. It is one of the most
economical propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technologies available
today. It can be used to construct a stand-alone PDH facility or
can be integrated with existing crackers to provide ‘plug and play’
capabilities for a variety of plant configurations.
In July, PetroLogistics ll LLC announced it had licensed Dow’s
proprietary FCDh technology for a new stand-alone PDH facility it
plans to construct on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
“Adaptable FCDh technology demonstrates the combined power of
Dow’s innovation and integration to create breakthrough solutions,”
said A.N. Sreeram, senior vice president, Research &
Development, and chief technology officer for Dow. “Dow’s advanced
FCDh technology is flexible, scalable, reliable and more
sustainable, allowing for use in multiple configurations in a range
of capacities – stand alone or integrated into crackers.”
For more information about the potential to license this
technology, contact Manav Lahoti, Dow’s FCDh licensing business
director at +1.281.966.2622.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines one of the broadest technology sets in
the industry with asset integration, focused innovation and global
scale to achieve profitable growth and become the most innovative,
customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science
company. Dow’s portfolio of performance materials, industrial
intermediates and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of
differentiated science-based products and solutions for our
customers in high-growth segments, such as packaging,
infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 113 manufacturing
sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,000 people. Dow
delivered pro forma sales of approximately $50 billion in 2018.
References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its
subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or
follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190820005429/en/
Ashley Mendoza +1 225.315.7132 AEMendoza@dow.com
Dow (NYSE:DOW)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Dow (NYSE:DOW)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024