Purified Terepthalic Acid (PTA)

PurifiedTerephthalicAcid Propel 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.

In 2023, PX-PTA plant was revamped from earlier capacity in PX from 360 KTA to 460 KTA and in PTA from 553 KTA to 700 KTA. Benzene to the tune of 25 KTA is generated during the process and is separated out by fractionation. Additionaly, PTA plant of 1200 KTA at Paradip is expected to be commisioned by H1 2026. Along with this, tuolene of 50 KTA shall also be produced.

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