Conversion of Methanol to Olefins: State-of-the-Art and Prospects for Development

The production of olefins via the catalytic conversion of methanol on zeolites and zeotypes is of great interest to both the scientific community and specialists in related areas of the national economy. Due to the gradual industrial implementation of the above process, the focus of attention is gradually shifting from scientific research devoted to the synthesis and modification of zeolites and zeotypes of different structures; to studies of pilot and industrial installations; to determining the main economic and environmental indicators, both existing and planned; and to the construction of production facilities. In 2019 alone, China licensed the construction of 26 production sites with a capacity of 14 million t/yr for ethylene and propylene, and commissioned 14 enterprises with a total capacity of 7.67 million t/yr for ethylene and propylene. The established production facilities include a full cycle of coal processing that consists of coal gasification units for the production of synthesis gas; units for the production and purification of methanol and olefins; and units for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene. The total productivity of the commissioned plants is more than 21 million t/yr for ethylene and propylene. This work reviews sources published in the foreign literature over the past five years on the preparation and modification of catalysts, along with technological, economic, and environmental aspects of the production of olefins from methanol.