According to Purvin & Gertz, global FCC capacity is projected to grow by approximately 19% between 2006 and 2015. Across that same time, polymer grade propylene production from FCC units is projected to grow by nearly 32%. Although the current average propylene yield from the installed FCC base is 4 to 5 wt-%FF, many of the new FCC units that come on line over the next ten years will produce even higher propylene yields, some projected to be as high as ~20 wt-%FF.

Pushing higher propylene production from the FCC unit requires the refiner to make some significant economic decisions. The optimum cash cost of production for propylene is an intricate balance between CAPEX, OPEX, and throughput, versus operating severity to produce the highest value product slate. To effectively optimize overall economics, it is important to understand the dynamic impact of varying feed pretreatment severity on FCC product yields. In this paper UOP will discuss the expected world demand for propylene, present a study on the synergies associated with proper integration of Hydroprocessing and FCC technologies on overall product yields, and evaluate the factors that influence the selection of a propylene yield design point for the FCC unit. UOP will also present other routes to on purpose propylene, such as our MTO, Olefin Cracking and Oleflex™ technologies.