C5 Metathesis for Increased Propylene Production

The production of on-purpose propylene via the metathesis of ethylene and butenes now exceed 6% of the total propylene.  The supply of butenes is tightening worldwide due to both the increased demand for metathesis feedstocks and the increased demand for butadiene.  The C5 cut from steam crackers has not been used as a metathesis feedstock due to perceived issues surrounding the high concentrations of cyclopentadiene found in that stream. The paper will discuss the recent Lummus development  program for processing C5's and the economic benefits of utilizing this stream for increased propylene. A comparison to olefins cracking technologies will be included.