Process Technologies

Ethylene Production

Lummus Technology, a leader in ethylene technology, provides innovations proven in more than 120 ethylene plants operating around the world, accounting for about 40 percent of the world's ethylene capacity. Lummus Technology has successfully completed over 200 grassroots, revamp and expansion design projects, more than any competing technology licensor. 

Ethylene plants using this technology have a record of short, trouble-free startups; high reliability; long run-lengths; and high on-stream factors. These advantages minimize startup costs, maximize production, ensure high profitability and achieve short payout time. New plants have started up at an average rate of two per year since 1989. 

The key to Lummus Technology's ethylene process is the patented SRT® (Short Residence Time) pyrolysis heater. Now in its seventh generation, the innovative SRT heater can be designed to efficiently process feedstocks ranging from ethane to vacuum gasoil. High once-through yields allow producers the flexibility to quickly switch to the most economical feedstock.

With the mechanical simplicity of the SRT heater and an integrated process design, Lummus Technology can provide a low cost, highly efficient, reliable design to maximize return on investment.

Pyrolysis/Steam Cracking

Lummus Technology’s proprietary ethylene steam cracking process is the most widely-applied process for the production of polymer grade ethylene, polymer grade propylene and butadiene. The process is noted for its performance, including high product yield and energy-efficiency, low investment cost and operating reliability.

Acetylene Recovery

Lummus Technology's Acetylene Recovery Technology is a solvent based liquid absorption process designed to recover high purity acetylene from the mixed C2 stream in an ethylene plant.

Total Hydrogenation

Lummus Technology's C4/C5 Total Hydrogenation technology is commercially proven with more than 35 years of operating experience with worldwide 24 units in operation or design for total hydrogenation of C4s, C5s or C4/C5 mixture.

Catalytic Distillation (CDHydro®)

The patented CDHydro® process achieves selective hydrogenation of diolefins to amylenes in a catalytic distillation column. The process uses commercially available catalyst in proprietary catalytic distillation structures. 

Pygas Hydrotreating (DPG™ I & II)

Lummus Technology's DPG™ I & II are the most widely-used pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation technologies, with more than 50 units in operation or under design.

Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO)

Lummus Technology's Light Olefins Recovery Technology is the leading recovery technology used for MTO reactors. It has been used in twelve units which are in operation or under design, producing over 3.6 million metric tons of ethylene and over 4.0 million tons of propylene. It is known for its high product recovery, low energy consumption, low capital costs and high reliability. 

Complementary Technologies (Ethylene Production)

The following licensed technologies can bring added value by supplementing or upgrading by-products from the primary ethylene production processes:

Proprietary Supply (Ethylene Production)

Lummus Technology supports our petrochemical and refining technologies with a variety of engineered products that facilitate conversion, enhance productivity and lower production cost. Our proprietary offerings include: