Dow Chemical’s PDH unit reaches full capacity

The Dow Chemical Co.’s world-scale propane dehydrogenation unit (PDH), located at the company’s Oyster Creek site in Freeport, Texas, completed a performance test, certifying that the unit is operating at full capacity and meeting the Honeywell UOP Oleflex performance guarantee.

“Dow’s world-scale PDH unit has reached full rates and passed acceptance testing,” says Jim Fitterling, Dow’s president and COO, in a press release. “The unit enables the replacement of purchased propylene with cost-advantaged production that will ultimately enable growth in attractive markets across North and South America.”

The 750-kilotons-per-annum facility began commercial operations in December 2015 and completed the performance test in less than two months. It will consume 35,000 barrels of propane per day, a Dow spokesperson says.

Dow has a comprehensive investment plan to connect its U.S. operations with cost-advantaged feedstocks from increasing supplies of U.S. shale gas and deliver long-term competitive advantage for its performance materials, consumer and infrastructure solutions businesses, the company says.

In addition to technology licensing, Honeywell UOP provided the basic engineering design, modular continuous catalyst regeneration, control systems, catalyst, adsorbent and start-up services for the unit, the company says.