DPT LP Oxo Technology for Andhra Petrochemicals

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Oct 17, 2007

The Andhra Petrochemicals Limited has chosen LP Oxo Selector 30 Technology for the expansion of its existing oxo alcohols production facility in Visakhapatnam, India

The expansion will increase production capacity to a total of 73,000 metric tons per year of 2-ethylhexanol, normal butanol and iso-butanol from the current production of 40,000 metric tons per year and is scheduled to go into operation during 2010.

LP Oxo Process Technology is a low-pressure hydroformylation process that uses propylene and synthesis gas to produce normal and iso-butyraldehydes.

These butyraldehydes are then converted into 2-ethylhexanol ("2EH"), normal and iso-butanol, as well as other derivatives.

To better suit customer needs, DPT offers a variety of LP Oxo Process Technologies, ranging from the LP Oxo Selector 10 to the LP Oxo Selector 30, which are named according to their respective isomer selectivity ratios.

As the selectivity ratio rises, output increasingly favors normal butyraldehyde production as a precursor for 2EH and normal-butanol.

2EH and butanols are used as plasticisers for PVC, and as solvents for coatings and adhesives, respectively.

Demand for these products is expected to increase significantly over the next several years, driven by a strong and emerging Indian economy.

At the contract signing ceremony in Hyderabad on 4 October, Dr David Tomlinson, President of DPT said, "We are honoured that APL have decided to expand their oxo plant by utilising the LP Oxo Selector 30 technology".

"This will be the 34th DPT project utilising LP Oxo Process Technology and we look forward to working with APL throughout the plant design process, start-up and operation.

APL is the premier producer of oxo alcohols in India and we evaluated various options when considering plant expansion".

"We chose LP Oxo Selector 30 technology as it offers the most cost effective technology for the production of 2-ethylhexanol and normal butanol", said Dr Ramaiah, Director of APL.