IndianOil's Purified Terepthalic Acid (PTA) plant was commissioned at Panipat Refinery, Haryana in June 2006 as a response to expansion in the downstream polyester sector and also in the light of liquid fuel (Naphtha) surpluses in the Northern Sector. The fully integrated plant uses Para Xylene (PX) produced by Panipat Refinery as
the main feed stock for manufacture of PTA. PX is produced from aromatic rich heart cut of Naphtha.
Initially crude Terepthalic Acid is produced through oxidation of PX in the presence of a catalyst.
Crude Terepthalic Acid is then purified through a process of hydrogenation, crystallization, centrifuging and drying to produce PTA. While PX plant is based on the latest UOP technology, PTA plant is based on the proven Invista T10 (currently DuPont) technology.
The PX-PTA plant had a capital outlay of around Rs.5100 crores. The nameplate capacity of 3,60,000 TPA of in-house PX is ideally matched with the rated capacity of 5,53,000 TPA of PTA.
Benzene to the tune of 25,000 TPA is generated during the process and is separated out by fractionation.
Applications
PTA is predominantly used as a raw material in manufacture of Polyester Staple Fibres, Polyester Filament Yarns and Polyethylene Terepthalate in conjunction with Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). Polyester Fibres/Yarns find application in the
production of textiles and films. PTA also finds use in small quantities in the manufacture of paints, etc.
Advantages of Invista T10 Technology:
The Invista T 19 technology is a proven and widely used process which provides the following advantages
- Consistent mean particle size - helps in better control of operating parameters in downstream process
- Less Para-Toluic acid content - leads to better polymerization
- Product is suitable for application across all segments of the polyester sector.