Abstract
1-Hexene is one of the comonomers used to produce mainly low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The production of 1-hexene by ethylene trimerization method gained much interest in petrochemical industry due to its high selectivity towards 1-hexene in comparison to traditional ethylene oligomerization method. In literature, many catalyst systems are reported for ethylene trimerization reaction, but only few of them qualify for the commercial applications. In the present review, activity and selectivity of commercially viable catalyst systems and amount of polyethylene formed as a by-product on using these catalyst systems were discussed. Special attention is given to Chevron Phillips ethylene trimerization technology which is one of the dominant technologies in the production of 1-hexene. The challenges such as fouling issues at commercial plant due to polyethylene by-product formation were discussed and the progress made to overcome the challenges were also discussed. New generation nontoxic titanium catalysts look promising and challenges involved in commercializing these catalysts were presented in the review.Graphic abstract
Highlights
Linear alpha olefins (LAOs) or 1-alkenes in the range of C4–C20, are useful intermediates for manufacturing of a wide range of products like detergents, polymers, synthetic lubricants, plasticizer alcohols, etc
Applied Petrochemical Research used as comonomers for the preparation of polyethylene such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) [1]
The global demand for 1-hexene in 2019 was estimated to be about 1 million MT, among which 73% of total global demand originated from LLDPE, 21% from HDPE (Fig. 1)
Summary
Abstract 1-Hexene is one of the comonomers used to produce mainly low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The production of 1-hexene by ethylene trimerization method gained much interest in petrochemical industry due to its high selectivity towards 1-hexene in comparison to traditional ethylene oligomerization method. Activity and selectivity of commercially viable catalyst systems and amount of polyethylene formed as a by-product on using these catalyst systems were discussed. Special attention is given to Chevron Phillips ethylene trimerization technology which is one of the dominant technologies in the production of 1-hexene. The challenges such as fouling issues at commercial plant due to polyethylene by-product formation were discussed and the progress made to overcome the challenges were discussed. Keywords 1-Hexene · Ethylene trimerization · Commercial catalysts · Fouling · Polyethylene
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