Alkylate is an excellent, high-octane blending component for motor gasoline, and is well-accepted in the marketplace. Alkylate is made by reacting light olefins, such as butylenes, from typical refinery sources, fluid catalytic cracking units, or from steam cracking units, with isoparaffins, such as isobutane, in the presence of an acidic catalyst.
The Lummus Technology CDAlky® gasoline alkylation technology is an advanced sulfuric acid alkylation process that operates at significantly lower temperatures than conventional technology—below 0°C—which favors the formation of the desired product isomer, trimethylpentane. Side reactions are greatly minimized, which also reduces acid consumption rates appreciably.
The Lummus Technology AlkyClean® gasoline alkylation technology employs a true solid alkylation catalyst. For refiners needing or wanting to avoid liquid acid catalyst altogether, the AlkyClean technology offers such a solution.
Both technologies have been successfully commercialized.
