September 2020
Process Optimization
Catalytic processes operation during downturns in aromatics complexes
Paraxylene production is a highly cyclical business that is subject to changes in the global economy and dependent on feedstock costs, alternative dispositions for aromatics, utilities costs and plant locations, among other factors. With the large PX capacity added by recently started crude-to-chemicals complexes and the expected impact of the economic recession on commodities demand, many aromatics complexes face a significant slowdown in the coming months or, possibly, years.
The Authors
Jeff L. Andrews is a Technical Support Lead Engineer with ExxonMobil Chemical Co., responsible for the technical support of all ExxonMobil xylenes processes licensed by ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing (EMCL). He joined Exxon (now ExxonMobil) Chemical in 1984 as a process engineer and has 35 yr of experience in the petrochemical industry, with the last 16 yr specializing in the xylenes licensing area. Mr. Andrews earned a BCh degree in chemical engineering from West Virginia University.
James K. Hung is a Technical Support Engineer with ExxonMobil Chemical Co., responsible for handling licensing technical support activities for xylene technology. He has 25 yr of experience in the petrochemical industry, with most of it related to heterogeneous catalysis research, aromatic technology process development, process control and optimization plant support. Dr. Hung earned a BCh degree in chemical engineering from National Taiwan University, and a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Houston.
Michel Molinier is a Technical Sales Manager with EMCL, currently handling technical sales for all ExxonMobil xylenes processes licensed by EMCL or its partner Axens. He has nearly 20 yr of experience in petrochemical processes and 30 yr of experience in heterogeneous catalysis. Dr. Molinier joined ExxonMobil Chemical Co. in 2001 as a senior chemist and worked on several research projects prior to transferring to licensing activities in 2005. He has since held various commercial and technical positions within EMCL. He earned an MS degree in physical chemistry from the University of Bordeaux in France, along with a PhD in solid state chemistry from Philipps Universität Marburg in Germany.
Yong Tzer Lim is a Technical Support Engineer with ExxonMobil Chemical, responsible for licensing technical support activities for xylene and alkylation technology, primarily for customers in Asia. He has 8 yr of experience in the petrochemical industry, with most of it related to hydrotreating, continuous catalytic reforming and aromatics technology. Mr. Lim joined ExxonMobil Singapore as a process design engineer in 2012 and worked on project development before moving to the manufacturing and technology organization. He earned a BCh degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
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