Petrochemical intermediates
IFP Energies nouvelles' work in this field is aimed at improving energy efficiency, the yields of petrochemical processes and the purity of the intermediates obtained.
IFP Energies nouvelles focuses on two types of intermediates: olefins and aromatics. These raw materials are very widely used in a large number of industries (automobiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics, aeronautics, textiles, etc.).
Selective hydrogenation of olefins
Olefins, obtained by steam cracking or catalytic cracking, are notably used in the manufacture of plastics. IFP Energies nouvelles is focusing mainly on selective hydrogenation, developing an innovative nickel-based catalyst. Work is also being conducted on the production of propylene – a substance belonging to the olefin family – by oligocracking.
Eluxyl
The second research avenue concerns the production of aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.). These substances are mainly extracted from naphtha after reforming. In 2010, IFP Energies nouvelles and Axens developed an enhanced variant of the Eluxyl® paraxylene purification process. IFP Energies nouvelles is also working on new absorbents capable of increasing the purity of products resulting from xylene separation.
