Catalyst for C4 Selective Hydrogenation
The catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of butadiene in raw C4 hydrocarbon streams (typically about 0.3-2.0 %), such as those from FCC units, side streams from butene oxidative dehydrogenation unit, ex MTO, and steam crackers, are designed to achieve high selectivity toward the desired olefins (butenes) while minimizing overhydrogenation to butane. Typically, the catalyst is used when the diolefin concentration is up to 2% to reduce it to below 500 ppm using almost stoichiometric amount of hydrogen. While the catalyst can also be applied to higher concentrations of diolefins, extractive distillation is often a more economical solution for removing and monetizing butadiene.
This process is critical in the refining and petrochemical industry, particularly for the purification of C4 streams used in downstream processes such as the production of synthetic rubber, pretreatment of the feedstock for downstream applications or fuel additives manufacturing.