The_Catalyst_Review (October 2016) - 4

COMMERCIAL NEWS
Honeywell UOP Introduces Ionic Liquids Alkylation Technology...
Honeywell UOP announced that it has introduced to the refining industry a new alkylation technology developed by Chevron
U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corp., that employs ionic liquids as a catalyst to produce high-octane motor fuels. Chevron
licensed the technology to Honeywell UOP, which will offer the technology under the ISOALKY™ brand name as an alternative to
traditional technologies that use hydrofluoric or sulfuric acids as a liquid alkylation catalyst. Chevron proved the technology in a small
demonstration unit at its Salt Lake City refinery, where it has operated successfully for five years. Chevron committed to convert its
hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation unit in Salt Lake City to ISOALKY technology. Construction is expected to commence in 2017, pending
permit approvals, with the ISOALKY technology becoming fully operational in 2020. As part of this project, the refinery's HF-specific
equipment and its inventory of hydrofluoric acid will be permanently removed. This new technology uses a non-aqueous liquid salt
at temperatures below 100ºC to convert a typical stream from a fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) into a valuable high-octane blending
component that lowers the environmental impact of motor gasoline. Among the other benefits of this technology, the ionic liquids
process can be used in new refineries, as well as existing facilities undergoing capital expansion. It can produce alkylate from a wider
range of feedstocks using a lower volume of catalyst. This liquid catalyst has a negligible vapor pressure and can be regenerated onsite, giving it a lower environmental footprint than other technologies. Source: Honeywell UOP, 9/23/206.

New TCGR Multi-Client to Document Progress In Enhanced In-Reactor
Catalyst Protection, Poison Purification Systems and
Methodologies to Improve Productivity

New Materials: In-Reactor Optimization Using Active Purification
Chemical and refining end-users are vastly familiar with feedstock and intermediate purification processes using adsorbents
or chemicals to remove impurities that would deactivate catalysts within downstream reactors. But an increasingly important
trend is occurring in two newer directions: 1) stacked catalyst bed reactor configurations using multiple catalyst types
within one reactor that enhance yields and; 2) the use of in-reactor active media to remove specific reaction by-products or
detrimental by-products which deactivate the catalysts in-situ.
These controls can allow improved yields and increased reactor space
velocities resulting in increased productivities of 10% or more. This is not
trivial, particularly if this type of retrofit largely goes directly to the bottom
line! TCGR's proposed study will explore the latest developments in enhanced
in-reactor catalyst protection, poison purification systems and methodologies
to improve productivity.

The recognition of reactor fouling control, as well as catalyst poisoning
control, has been most developed in the refining catalyst industry, particularly
in hydrotreating/ hydrocracking, where processing more difficult feedstocks,
like heavy VGO's, has been an industry challenge. So it's not surprising to
find licensors/catalyst suppliers like Albemarle, Axens, Chevron/ART, Haldor
Topsøe, and Shell/Criterion, having developed tailored solutions and services
to address these in-reactor challenges.

Because this is already a commercialized practice, the study objective is to document via industry case examples, leading
processes where active/reactive media and/or active structured packings have been used more recently, as opposed to passive
media, like NorPro Denstone™ alumina balls or Sulzer Mellapak™internals, just used to support the catalyst beds.
TCGR is welcoming inputs on the specifics to be addressed and
nominations for the case studies to be completed. "Charter" subscribers
are requested to indicate their interest in supporting the study by
returning a completed Order Form (on p.9 of the proposal) by November
4, 2016 after which TCGR will contact them for their inputs.

For further information, including the complete study
presentation and proposal, the actual Table of Contents
and the Order Form, please contact John J. Murphy at
+1.215.628.4447 or John.J.Murphy@catalystgrp.com or go to:

http://www.catalystgrp.com/php/articledetail.php?In-Reactor-Optimization-96

The Catalyst Review

October 2016

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The_Catalyst_Review (October 2016)

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The_Catalyst_Review (October 2016)