Background Light olefins production is a $100 billion industry, and the olefin/paraffin separation process is the most energy-intensive operation in the production of ethylene, propylene and other high volume olefin petrochemicals.
Until Imtex technology hit the market, cryogenic distillation was the only commercially viable method for this process. Cryogenic distillation consumes over 20 Gigajoules of energy for every ton of ethylene produced .This energy consumption is associated with significant GHG and Criteria Air Contaminant (CAC) emissions and the significant consumption of non-renewable energy resources.
The Imtex Breakthrough
Imtex’spatented olefin/paraffin separation technology has been shown to reduce GHG and CAC emissions and energy costs -- to save millions of dollars annually for a typical large ethylene or propylene plant.
The Imtex membrane is adaptable to existing and new ethylene and propylene production plants. It can be used either as a complete replacement for cryogenic distillation, in a hybrid debottlenecking arrangement with the existing distillation equipment, or to recover waste process gas.
GHG reduction
A typical large polyethylene plant could reduce annual GHG emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes.
Imtex's technology cuts GHG emissions by 30% (hybrid/debottlenecking application)
to 90% (stand-alone system).
Energy savings in the millions
Using the technology, a plant can save millions of dollars in energy costs each year.
As well, it can earn carbon credits, significantly lower capital costs and reduce maintenance costs.
Other applications
Imtex’s innovative membrane technologies are used to reduce energy costs and lower emissions across a range of applications, including medical science, the automotive sector, water treatment/civil engineering and the chemical industry.
For more information, visit our Applications page.
Light olefins production is a $100 billion industry, and the olefin/paraffin separation process is the most energy-intensive operation in the production of ethylene, propylene and other high volume olefin petrochemicals. 
