The AlkyClean process converts light olefins into alkylate by reacting the olefins with isobutane over a true solid acid catalyst. AlkyClean’s unique catalyst, reactor design and process scheme allow operation at low external isobutane-to-olefin ratios while maintaining excellent product quality.
The light olefin feed is combined with the isobutane makeup and recycle and sent to the alkylation reactors which convert the olefins into alkylate using a solid acid catalyst (1). The AlkyClean process uses a true solid acid catalyst to produce alkylate, eliminating the safety and environmental hazards associated with liquid acid technologies. Simultaneously, reactors are undergoing a mild liquid-phase regeneration using isobutane and hydrogen and, periodically, a reactor undergoes a higher temperature vapor phase hydrogen strip (2). The reactor and mild regeneration effluent is sent to the product-fractionation section, which produces n-butane and alkylate products, while also recycling isobutane and recovering hydrogen used in regeneration for reuse in other refinery hydroprocessing units (3). The AlkyClean process does not produce any acid soluble oils (ASO) or require post treatment of the reactor effluent or final products.
Products: Alkylate is a high-octane, low-Rvp gasoline component used for blending in all grades of gasoline. The C5
+ alkylate has a RON of 93–98 depending on processing conditions and feed composition.
Licensor: Lummus Technology, Albemarle Catalysts and Neste Oil.
