ABSTRACT
Refinery gas streams have provided important sources of propylene especially in the US. Originally a by-product of ethylene production, propylene has become increasingly important as a chemical intermediate, which has led to a major increase in its price relative to ethylene. There has been rapid growth in polypropylene production over the last decade especially in Europe. Propane and butane are the preferred feedstocks if propylene only is required. Propylene is one of the three most important chemical intermediates used in the petrochemical industry. Co-polymerization with ethylene with or without diene modifiers results in ethylene-propylene rubbers. Propylene is the starting material for a number of reactions; other chemicals produced include isopropyl alcohol, acrylic acid and acrolein. Propylene is used for the manufacture of propylene dimer for the detergents industry. When entering a propylene-rich area, personnel should wear a safety line attached to a colleague with self-contained breathing apparatus so that rapid rescue can be effected in the event of emergency.
