The Influence of THF contents on performance of LC2253 as catalyst in ethylene dimerization reaction

LC2253 contains titanium tetrabutoxide and tetrahydrofuran (THF) that is used as a catalytic system in ethylene dimerization and for production of butene-1. In this the catalytic system, THF, the modifier, reduces heavy and polymeric compounds. Indeed, one of the important problems that exists in butene-1 plants , shutting down of pertinent plant as the result of formation of polymer and fouling in heat exchangers after the reactor that one of its reasons is unsuitable reserve of catalyst that leads to evaporation of THF and consequently reduction of THF in catalyst. In this research, the effects of THF concentration variation on performance of catalyst and content of heavy compounds were examined and optimum percent value of THF was determined.

Keywords:

Ethylene dimerization , Butene-1 , Titanium tetrabutoxide , THF , Heavy compounds