ExxonMobil Chemical Introduces Improved Xylene Isomerization Technology

05-Nov-2003

ExxonMobil Chemical Company announced that an improved version of its latest technology for xylene isomerization, called XyMax(SM)-2, is now available for licensing. This latest generation of technology significantly expands operating flexibility by offering a broader temperature and pressure window and improved turndown capability. XyMax-2 utilizes a highly shape-selective, proprietary zeolite catalyst, which provides exceptional yield performance over a wide range of operating conditions.

The state-of-the-art catalyst technology employed in the XyMax-2 process was specifically developed for use in a wide range of isomerization units including those that could not previously utilize the original XyMax technology, due to temperature and pressure constraints. It is now possible to convert many of these additional isomerization units to the XyMax-2 technology, providing them with the benefits of high EB conversion and exceptionally low xylene losses.

"Since the introduction of our first xylene isomerization process in 1975, ExxonMobil Chemical has been a leader in xylene isomerization technology with continued improvements in longer catalysts cycles, lower hydrogen circulation, lower xylene losses and higher ethylbenzene conversion," said Doug Selman, research and development vice president. "We continue to develop improvements in operation efficiency with even lower xylene losses and higher EB conversions."

When installed in existing conventional xylene isomerization units, XyMax-2 can increase paraxylene capacity up to 40% with minimal hardware modifications. The first two applications of XyMax-2 are expected to begin operating in the second quarter of 2004.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/30747/exxonmobil-chemical-introduces-improved-xylene-isomerization-technology.html