Fractionation & BTX Recovery: Maximizing Value from Pyrolysis Oil with Sulzer
- cemnar0
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Introduction
Efficient recycling of plastic waste means more than producing fuel it’s about recovering premium chemical streams that offer greater economic and environmental value. Sulzer’s distillation and BTX recovery solutions extract the full potential of purified pyrolysis oils, separating valuable fractions for direct industrial reuse.
How Sulzer’s Technology Works
Advanced Fractionation & Distillation
Tailored Column Design: Sulzer distillation units use customized trays and packings to precisely separate hydrocarbons. Feedstocks often highly variable are split into targeted cuts like naphtha, diesel, and heavier streams.
Optimized Separation: Columns are engineered for large temperature gradients and varying pressures, mirroring best practices from major refinery operations but adapted to lighter, recycled feeds.
Efficient Aromatics (BTX) Recovery
GT-BTX® Technology: Enables recovery of benzene, toluene, and xylene valuable aromatics essential as chemical feedstocks.
Integrated Processing: BTX extraction processes are seamlessly coupled with fractionation, ensuring minimal loss and high yield.
Product Stream Customization
Naphtha: Suitable for fuels or ethylene production.
Diesel & Gas Oil: For transportation or heating use.
Aromatics: For chemicals manufacturing and polymer synthesis.
Waxes and Residues: Further processed or valorized as per application.
Performance Case: Quantafuel Plant
At Quantafuel (Denmark), Sulzer delivered a fractionation system with multi-bed columns, designed for robust separation of pyrolysis oil into heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO), diesel, and light vacuum gas oil (LVGO). Key design highlights:
Multi-phase Feed Handling: Simultaneously processes liquid and gaseous feed for maximal product yield.
Adapted Pressures & Temperatures: Operates at higher pressures than traditional vacuum units yet maintains efficiency via custom packing and large temperature gradients.
High Diesel Recovery: Strong side draws maximize the output of the most valuable fractions.
Summary Table: Benefits of Sulzer Fractionation & BTX Recovery
Feature | Benefit |
Multi-stage Column Design | High-purity, tailored product streams |
GT-BTX® Aromatics Recovery | Increased revenue, supports circular economy |
Modular/Skid Options | Fast installation, scalable for plant upgrades |
Proven at Scale (e.g. Quantafuel) | Reliable results with varied feedstocks |
Process Simulation & Support | Optimized integration and ongoing performance |
Why Choose Sulzer?
Proven Industry Solutions: Commercial operation in major European plastic-to-oil projects.
Custom Engineering: Systems are tailored for plant goals, feedstock variation, and constraint management.
Full Lifecycle Support: From simulation and design to start-up and optimization.
Conclusion
Sulzer’s advanced fractionation and BTX recovery units let you turn plastic waste into high-value chemical streams, supporting both profitability and sustainability. Their flexible, modular approach ensures seamless integration whether you’re upgrading an existing facility or launching a new recycling line.
