Ethylene from Hydrocracked Vacuum Gas Oil Produced by the Linde AG Process

The Linde AG vacuum gas oil (VGO) hydrocracking process for ethylene feedstock pretreatment is similar in principle to the Unicracking/FPP, but there are significant differences in catalysts and plant designs. Linde AG uses a single-stage reactor rather than the two stages in the Unicracking/FPP. In addition, Linde AG operates at a lower pressure and a higher temperature. Although these differences result in different product yields, the properties of the hydrocracked VG0 for ethylene production from both processes are about comparable.

Our evaluation indicates that the Linde AG process has somewhat more favorable economics. Both processes, however, offer savings for naphtha-based plants.