SK develops low-energy naphtha process

SK Energy, South Korea’s largest oil refiner, has developed and commercialized an innovative technology to save energy and cost for the decomposition of naphtha. The advanced catalytic olefin (ACO) process enables decomposition of naphtha at a temperature under 700 degrees Celsius, reducing around 20% of energy, carbon emissions and cost compared to the conventional naphtha steam crackers. SK Energy said it recently completed and succeeded in operating an ACO plant in Ulsan, which can produce around 40,000 tons of ethanol and propylene annually. (December 28, 2010)