GT-BenZap is suggested for refineries limited by economies of scale required for benzene extraction or for units located in remote areas away from benzene consumers. When implementing GT-BenZap, GTC’s experts simulate the existing process and provide custom integration with the refiner’s existing units for effective benzene management.
GTC’s GT-BenZap process features a reliable traditional design paired with a proven active hydrogenation catalyst. The process consists of hydrotreating a narrow-cut C6 fraction, which is separated from the full-range reformate to saturate the benzene component into cyclohexane. The reformate is first fed to a reformate splitter, where the C6 heart cut is separated as a side-draw fraction while the C7+ cut and the C5- light fraction are removed as bottom and top products of the column.
The C6 olefins present in the C6 cut are also hydrogenated to paraffins while the C5– olefins removed at the top of the splitter are not, thus preserving the octane number. The hydrogenated C6 fraction from the reactor outlet is sent to a stabilizer column where the remaining hydrogen and lights are removed overhead. The C5– cut, produced from the splitter overhead, is recombined with the hydrogenated C6 cut within the GT-BenZap process in a unique manner that reduces energy consumption and capital equipment cost.
The light reformate is mixed with the C7+ cut from the splitter column and together form the full-range reformate, which is low in benzene. GTC also offers a modular construction option and the possibility to reuse existing equipment.
Process advantages:
• Simple process to hydrogenate benzene and remove it from gasoline
• Reliable technology that uses an isolated hydrogenation reactor
• Reduces benzene in reformate streams by over 99.9%
• Minimal impact to hydrogen balance and octane loss
Licensor: GTC Technology
