Clariant has announced the launch of Catofin 1000, a next-generation catalyst for the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process. The solution builds on the CATOFIN 310 Series, described by the company as commercially proven. According to the manufacturer, Catofin 1000 delivers improved selectivity and productivity, extended catalyst lifetime, and up to 20% lower tar precursors, which is intended to significantly reduce deposits and fouling in plant operation.
The company indicates that reducing tar precursors translates into less buildup of contaminants and, consequently, fewer fouling-related outages and a reduced scope of maintenance work. Operationally, this is intended to enable longer and more stable PDH plant runs and improve plant economics by increasing availability and maintaining process parameters.
In parallel, Clariant offers customers access to its Clarity digital service portal, which is intended to support improvements in catalyst-related plant performance. According to the company, the portal provides 24/7 access to real-time catalyst performance data as well as visualization, analysis, and monitoring tools. The service is available across all Clariant catalyst applications and, as stated, has been used to optimize plant parameters in the areas of efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
As commented by Jace Wang, Vice President and Head of Propylene at the Business Unit Catalysts: "With the introduction of Catofin 1000, we continue to push the boundaries of catalyst innovation. This latest advancement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive superior performance for our customers in the propylene industry. The significant reduction in tar precursors and fouling, combined with enhanced selectivity and productivity, represents a major step forward in PDH technology."
Catofin is a catalyst technology used to produce olefins such as propylene, isobutylene, and butylene/butadiene streams. Clariant states that, due to the productivity and reliability of the solution, it has been selected for numerous PDH plants worldwide. The Catofin process combines tailor-made catalysts from Clariant and Heat Generating Material (HGM) with Lummus’s advanced process technology.
The release emphasizes that Catofin 1000 represents the next step in the evolution of this technology platform and is intended to provide PDH operators with improved performance translating into plant economics and operational reliability. The up to 20% reduction in tar precursors highlighted by the company is presented as particularly important for minimizing fouling impacts, including downtime and service work.
Clariant reports that since 2017, Catofin has been selected for more than 40 new projects worldwide, including a recently awarded 1200 KTA PDH project in China.
Catofin 1000: maximizing operational efficiency through next-generation propane dehydrogenation technology
