Technology

The AlphaButol^® Process - developed in cooperation with SABIC - produces high purity 1-Butene via Ethylene Dimerization with a yield higher than 90%. The Process operates in the Liquid Phase using a soluble Catalyst System, which avoids Isomerization of 1-Butene to 2-Butene; thus Superfractionation of the Product Stream is not needed. Polymer-Grade Ethylene is dissolved in the Reaction Medium. The Dimerization Reaction takes place in the Liquid Phase while the heat of Reaction is removed by external cooling. Reactor Effluent is routed to Catalyst Separation Section. The Hydrocarbon portion is vaporized and fractionated in the Distillation Section and Spent Catalyst is recovered. The First Distillation Column separates unconverted Ethylene, which is recycled directly to the Reactor. The Second Column recovers high purity 1-Butene.

Source: Axens, Oligomerization