News Archive

2005

MTR Receives First Orders for Hydrogen Recovery/Purification Units (July 2005)

MTR received two awards for first-of-a-kind hydrogen purification units (HPUs). These units are based on a new Hydrogen Membrane that permeates hydrogen much faster than nitrogen, methane, or other hydrocarbons, and achieves high recovery of purified hydrogen. Giant Petroleum (New Mexico) ordered an HPU to recover and purify hydrogen for reuse in their hydrotreater during the production of low sulfur diesel. RCF (India) ordered an HPU to recover hydrogen from a purge stream during methanol production. Both units will be commissioned in early 2006.

Two Fuel Gas Conditioning Units – Sid Richardson Energy (June 2005)

MTR received orders for two fuel gas conditioning units from Sid Richardson Energy. The fuel gas conditioning units have been installed at two remote unmanned compression stations near Jal, New Mexico, USA. Each of these units is designed to remove and recover C3+ hydrocarbons from raw fuel gas. Membrane units supply approximately 0.2-0.3 MMSFD of clean fuel gas to Superior and Waukesha gas engines driving compressors. The fuel gas conditioning units were installed in November 2005 and they are performing better than guarantee performance.

New Membrane for Removing Carbon Dioxide from Hydrogen (March 2005)

MTR has successfully developed and tested a reverse-selective membrane for carbon dioxide/hydrogen separation. Conventional hydrogen membranes permeate the smaller molecule - hydrogen. MTR's new membrane retains the hydrgoen at pressure and permeates unwanted carbon dioxide to the low pressure side. This breakthrough has potential in treating numerous process streams, including those from hydrocarbon reformers.

2004

Maoming Petrochemical Selects MTR for INRU (December 2004)

Maoming Petrochemical Corporation, a division of Sinopec, has selected MTR to supply an Iso-butane Nitrogen Recovery Unit (INRU) for their new PE plant in Maoming, China. The INRU will recover more than 7 tonnes per hour of iso-butane and 1 tonne per hour of nitrogen. Shipment is scheduled for late 2005 with commissioning expected in mid-2006.

Jilin Petrochemical Orders New Hexane-Nitrogen Recovery Unit (November 2004)

MTR has been awarded a new contract from Jilin Petrochemical Corporation, a unit of PetroChina, for a hexane-nitrogen recovery unit. The system will recover more than 1 tonne per hour of hexane and nitrogen from an off-gas stream from their new polyethylene plant. The recovery unit will be shipped in mid 2005 with commissioning expected by the end of this year.

New PRUs for Oman and South Africa (September 2004)

MTR received orders for Propylene Recovery Units (PRUs) from Oman Polypropylene (Sohar, Oman) and from Sasol (Secunda, South Africa). Each PRU will save more than $2MM per year in propylene and nitrogen. Both PRUs will ship in the 4th quarter of 2005, with commissioning planned for the 3rd quarter of 2006.

MTR Receives First Order in India (July 2004)

India Petrochemical Chemical Limited, a unit of Reliance Industries, Ltd. has awarded MTR a new contract to supply an Ethylene Recovery Unit (ERU) for their polyethylene plant in Nagothane, India. The ERU will recover more than 250 kg/hr of ethylene and other hydrocarbons. Shipment is scheduled for early 2005 with commissioning expected during the second quarter of 2005.

Fuel Gas Conditioning Unit Commissioned in Canada (June 2004)

A fuel gas conditioning unit (FGCU) for Dominion Resources (British Columbia, Canada) was recently commissioned. The unit, which reduces the sulfur content of the feed gas to less than 150 ppmv, supplies approximately 1 million SCFD of gas for a gas engine.

New Propylene Recovery Unit Shipped to China (June 2004)

MTR shipped a propylene recovery unit (PRU) for Shanghai Ethylene Cracking Company (SECCO), a joint venture of Sinopec and BP. The unit, which was designed to process 1.5 ton/hour of feed gas, recovers more than 95% of the propylene. The PRU also purifies and recovers nitrogen. Savings are estimated to be approximately $2.0 million per year.

MTR Receives Orders from Dairen Chemical (May 2004)

Dairen Chemical Corporation of Mai Liao, Taiwan awarded MTR a new contract to supply two ethylene recovery units (ERUs) for the company's vinyl acetate plant. Estimated savings are $0.3 million to $0.5 million per year per ERU. Shipment is scheduled for late 2004 with commissioning expected during the first quarter of 2005.

2003

New Propylene Recovery Unit Commissioned in Taiwan

MTR commissioned a propylene recovery unit (PRU) for Yung Chia Chemical Corporation (YCC) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The unit was designed to process close to 3,000 kg/hr of feed gas and to recover more than 95% of the propylene in the feed gas. In addition to propylene, the PRU will also purify and recover nitrogen. Savings are estimated to be close to $3.0 million per year.

Fuel Gas Conditioning Unit Planned for Canada

Dominion Resources (British Columbia, Canada) awarded MTR a new contract to supply a fuel gas conditioning unit (FGCU). The unit will separate hydrogen sulfide and heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas used as fuel for gas engines. The FGCU is expected to ship during the second quarter of 2004 and will supply close to 1 MMscfd of conditioned gas.

Ethylene Recovery Unit Slated for Nanhai

MTR will construct an ethylene recovery unit (ERU) for Basell's new polyethylene plant in Nanhai, China. Tecnimont of the Montedison Group, based in Milan, Italy, is handling engineering, procurement, and construction for this project. The ERU will be delivered in the second quarter of 2004.

MTR Receives Order from Daelim Chemical

Daelim Industrial Company Limited of Seoul, South Korea awarded MTR a new contract to supply an isobutane nitrogen recovery unit (INRU). The INRU is slated for the polyethylene plant in Yosu, South Korea. The unit will recover isobutane, ethylene, and nitrogen. Estimated savings are from $1.2 to $1.8 million per year. Commissioning is scheduled for late 2004.

Nitrogen Rejection Unit Slated for West Texas

The ABB Lummus Global/MTR alliance has negotiated a contract for a nitrogen rejection unit (NRU) with a gas gathering company located in Dallas, TX. The NRU, a membrane unit that removes nitrogen from natural gas, will reduce the nitrogen content of wellhead gas from 24% to less than 4%. The resulting gas meets pipeline BTU value specifications. This system is slated for installation and startup in January 2004.

MTR Awarded Contract for Propylene Recovery Unit in China

Shanghai Ethylene Cracking Company (SECCO), a joint venture of BP Chemicals, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), and Shanghai Petrochemical Corporation (SPC), has awarded MTR a contract for a propylene recovery unit (PRU) for the new chemical complex currently under construction in Shanghai. BP is spending more than $2.7 billion on the new complex, which includes an ethylene cracker, polyethylene and polypropylene plants. The PRU will be shipped at the end of the second quarter of 2004. Commissioning is expected to begin in early 2005.

MTR Receives Sixth Order from ExxonMobil Chemical Company

ExxonMobil Chemical Company has awarded MTR a new contract to supply a hydrocarbon-nitrogen recovery unit. The unit is slated for the polyethylene plant in Notre Dame de Gravenchon, France. This is the sixth award from ExxonMobil Chemical Company. The unit will recover hydrocarbons such as ethylene, butene, and pentane. Estimated savings are $1.2 to $1.8 million per year.

Three New Orders Received from Taiwan

During the past 12 months, MTR received three new orders from chemical producers in Taiwan. Yung Chia Chemical Corporation (YCC), based in Kaohsiung, purchased a propylene recovery unit (PRU). The unit is currently being installed and is scheduled for commissioning in late 2003. Formosa Fiber and Chemical Company (FCFC), based in Mailaio, purchased its second PRU from MTR during the first quarter of this year. The first unit was supplied in 1998. The PRU for FCFC will ship during the first quarter of 2004, with start-up expected by the end of the third quarter. Finally, Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC) purchased an ethylene recovery unit for its polyethylene plant in Mailiao. This system will ship in the second quarter of 2004.

INRU and PRU Commissioned in Eastern Europe

In January of this year, MTR commissioned two new recovery units in Eastern Europe. The first unit, an isobutane-nitrogen recovery unit (INRU), was supplied to Tiszai Vegyi Kombinát (TVK). TVK, which is based in Tiszaújváros, Hungary, is the largest polyolefin producer in Eastern Europe. The second unit, a propylene recovery unit (PRU), was constructed for Chemopetrol, based in Litvinov, Czech Republic. The PRU, which recovers more than 3,000 tons of propylene and 7,500 tons of nitrogen per year, will save Chemopetrol more than $1.5 million per year.

2002

MTR and ABB Sign Cooperation Agreement

Membrane Technology and Research (MTR) and ABB Lummus Global have signed an agreement to cooperate in the technical and commercial development of membrane systems for certain applications, and to design, manufacture and market such systems worldwide. For the full release please click here.

MTR Receives First Order for Nitrogen/Methane Separation

MTR has received an order from Omaha Public Power District, Omaha, Nebraska for a membrane system to separate nitrogen from natural gas. The membrane system will process pipeline gas containing up to 8 mol% N2 and produce a low nitrogen content fuel stream for a phosphoric acid based fuel cell. The presence of high concentrations of nitrogen in the fuel to such fuel cells results in deterioration in their performance due to the formation of harmful by-products. The system will be delivered in November 2002.

MTR and OPW Sign Agreement for Gasoline Vapor Recovery

MTR and OPW (Cincinnati, Ohio) have signed an agreement to manufacture and market membrane-based systems for gasoline vapor recovery from retail service stations, worldwide. The product, known as VaporSaver, is designed to recover more than 99% of the gasoline vapors emitted during the filling process. OPW expects to launch the product in December, after receiving certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). OPW, a leading supplier of products and systems to the gasoline dispensing industry, is a Dover Company.

INRU Slated for Eastern Europe

In the second quarter of 2002, MTR was awarded a new contract to supply an isobutane nitrogen recovery unit (INRU) to Tiszai Vegyi Kombinát LTD (TVK). TVK is based in Tiszaújváros, Hungary and is the largest polyolefin producer in Eastern Europe. The INRU will recover approximately 3 million pounds of isobutane and 10 million pounds of nitrogen per year, which will save TVK close to $1.0 million per year. Start-up is scheduled for January 2003.

Ethylene Recovery Unit (ERU) for VAM Production Delivered

MTR delivered its first system for ethylene recovery for a vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) plant. The ERU was supplied to Samsung BP in Ulsan, Korea. Payback time for the system is less than six months, with start-up scheduled for late 2002.

Three Orders Received from the Middle East

Kemya, based in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, ordered its second hydrocarbon recovery system from MTR. The first unit was supplied and commissioned in early 2001. The company is the joint venture between SABIC (Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation) and ExxonMobil and produces both HDPE (high density polyethylene) and LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene). Sharq, also based in Al-Jubail, ordered two units for hydrocarbon recovery from MTR. Sharq also produces HDPE and LLDPE. The company is a joint venture between SABIC and Mitsubishi.

Two Propylene Recovery Units (PRUs) Commissioned

MTR recently commissioned two propylene recovery units (PRUs) for BP. The PRUs are located on two separate polypropylene units at the Deer Park, Texas complex and will save BP more than $500,000 per year. Actual recovery was 95%, which is above the original 90% design.

MTR Awarded Purchase Order for Fuel Gas Conditioning System by UEG Araucaria

MTR received an order for a large fuel gas conditioning plant to be installed for UEG Araucaria, Curitiba, Brazil. This fuel conditioning unit will process up to 90 MMSCFD of natural gas and provide fuel for two 250-MW Siemens Westinghouse turbines. This large system was specifically designed for transport by air in order to meet the demanding schedule of this project. The entire system was built and delivered to the plant site in 90 days. The system is slated for full load operation in the third quarter of 2002.

2001

MTR Gains First Orders in South Korea

MTR received its first two orders in South Korea earlier this year. Samsung General Chemical placed orders for two units to recover ethylene from vent streams in its Daesan, South Korea polyethylene and ethylene oxide plants. Delivery is scheduled for September 2001, with start-up expected in early 2002.

DSM Doubles PRU Throughput Using MTR's New High-Productivity Modules

DSM (Geleen, The Netherlands) will double the capacity of its existing propylene recovery unit (PRU) by using MTR's new high-productivity membrane modules. The original PRU, designed by MTR in 1995, was rated for a feed rate of 1.2 tonnes per hour. At the end of 2000, DSM began work on a new polypropylene (PP) plant. The off-gas from the new PP plant, combined with that of the existing plant, effectively doubled the PRU feed rate. Initially, DSM expected to build a complete new PRU. However, by using new high-productivity membrane modules from MTR, the company was able to double the PRU throughput, without any major changes to the system. The new modules saved more than $1.5 million in capital costs.

PRU Slated for Eastern Europe

In the first quarter of 2001, MTR was awarded a new contract to supply a propylene recovery unit (PRU) to Chemopetrol (Litvinov, Czech Republic). The unit is part of a new polypropylene plant, licensed by BP, and being constructed by Foster Wheeler Italiana (Milan, Italy). The PRU will recover more than 6 million pounds of propylene and 14 million pounds of nitrogen per year, which will save the customer close to $1.5 million per year. Start-up is scheduled for January 2003.

ExxonMobil Orders Fuel Gas Conditioning Unit

MTR received an order for a fuel gas conditioning unit (FGCU) from ExxonMobil. This is the company's second FGCU order and is for a gas engine, located on an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Due to poor fuel gas quality, the gas engines could only produce two-thirds of their rated power output. The FGCU will allow the engines to achieve full power.

MTR Delivers Refinery Pilot Unit

TotalFinaElf, the fourth largest oil company in the world, will test a pilot unit from MTR at one of their refineries in Western Europe. The pilot unit, designed to process up to 2 MMscfd, will be tested on FCC off-gas. The purpose of the test is to separate and recover olefins from lights, such as hydrogen and methane. If successful, TotalFinaElf will be able to recover more than 5 tonnes per hour of olefins, which are now being used as fuel. The test is expected to last for 6 months.

Ethylene Recovery Unit (ERU) Commissioned

MTR recently commissioned an ethylene recovery unit (ERU) for Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC). The ERU is located in the ethylene oxide plant at the Point Comfort, Texas complex and will save FPC more than $500,000 per year. Actual recovery was measured to be 85%, which is above the original 80% design rate.