Recently, the technology “Crude catalytic cracking to chemicals (CCTC)” developed independently by SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing(RIPP) has been successfully tested in commercial scale, which has symbolized a breakthrough progress in manufacturing chemicals directly from crude oils.

At present China is experiencing a drastic contradiction between the overcapacity of petroleum refineries and the insufficient chemicals production. Since the basic raw petrochemical materials such as ethylene, propylene and light aromatics are in short supply, it is imperative for the petrochemical enterprises to shift from the oil refining mode towards the chemicals production mode.In comparison with the currently available matured technologies, the direct production of chemicals from crude oils can skip over the traditional oil refining processes such as atmospheric and vacuum distillation and raw materials refining processes to directly convert crude into light olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons. Besides apparently reducing the overall energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, this approach in the meantime can significantly increase the production of high valueadded chemicals to bring about a remarkable economic bonanza, which would have a great significance for resolving the contradiction between demand and supply of chemicals through crude processing.

The researchers and engineers of RIPP based on their experience in development, dissemination and application of the FCC technology have independently developed the CCTC technology coupled with the associated catalysts,and through converting the feedstock in separated regions along with the coupling design have established an optimized match between reaction temperature, catalyst activity, and heat supply, which can ensure a maximized yield of chemicals from the whole crude fraction. The results of commercial test of the CCTC technology carried out at the Yangzhou Petrochemical Limited Liability Company have revealed that the operation of the unique unit for producing chemicals directly via crude cracking can harvest more than 50% of low-carbon olefins and BTX (benzene, toluene and xylene), which has exceeded the expected set target of the research topic.By taking into account the units engaging in conversion of intermediate products, the total yield of chemicals can reach up to 70%.

The CCTC technology developed by RIPP has carved out a new route for producing chemicals from crude oil.In the future this technology will be applied in the newly constructed chemical-mode refineries or in the renovation and revamping of existing FCC units in order to make ever greater contributions for safeguarding the security of chemicals supply chain in China, alleviating the chemicals demand/supply contradictions and helping the enterprises transform and upgrade their businesses.