Under the terms of the contracts, KBR will provide technology licensing and process design packages for the complex, which the contractor said will be the largest single-train methanol-to-olefins (MTO) plant in the world. The contractor did not disclose an onstream date for the complex.

KBR will use a combination of its Score steam cracking and MTO recovery technologies to achieve Baofeng Energy's project objectives of highest yields and lowest capital investment.  The Score steam-cracking unit will convert ethane and propane into ethylene and propylene, which will be separated and further purified in the MTO recovery section.

“We are proud that Baofeng Energy has selected KBR for this breakthrough world-scale MTO complex,” said Doug Kelly, KBR president, technology solutions. “This award is a reaffirmation of our continued commitment to helping our clients maintain their competitive edge through technological advancements and delivering the best return on their investments.”

Last month, Johnson Matthey won a contract to supply its methanol technology to Ningxia Baofeng Energy for a 7,200 t/d plant – the third methanol license the UK technology firm has provided to the Chinese company. Ningxia’s two other methanol plants started up in 2014 and 2020.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist