The Catalyst Review July 2020 - 11
SPECIAL FEATURE
Figure 9. Flow diagram of ISOALKY Ionic-liquid process.
Source: Honeywell UOP.
The ISOALKY process uses less catalyst to achieve the same alkylation
yields (olefin conversion) and product octane (RON). With a longer
service life, less catalyst inventory is necessary-nearly one-third
the amount used with an HF unit. Operating at higher conversion
efficiencies, a smaller-sized reactor is used. With an ionic-based
system, water-washing of products is eliminated. Less ASO (waste)
product is generated; higher alkylate yields and process efficiency
are possible. The ISOALKY process uses similar distillation methods to
existing alkylation technologies. The feed treatment is similar to HF
technology. Reusing major equipment as part of a retrofit project is a
key benefit with the ISOALKY solution.
An advanced online catalyst regenerator system reduces air emissions. The ionic-based catalyst drastically reduces the risks
associated with strong liquid-acid releases. More importantly, this process can be operated with standard refinery health, safety and
environment (HSE) protocols. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE), safety systems or training associated with HF or SA are
not required.6 In 2019, ISOALKY received Hydrocarbon Processing's "Best Refining Technology" award.
Installations. In 2016, Chevron and Honeywell UOP announced the construction of the first ISOALKY commercial installation.
Chevron committed to convert its Salt Lake City, Utah, HF alkylation unit to the ISOALKY process. The technology was proven at the
Salt Lake City refinery for over five years. The retrofitted alkylation unit will have a processing capacity of 5 Mbpd and is scheduled
to be onstream in 2020.6 In 2019, Sinochem Hongrun Petrochemical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sinochem Group, and Honeywell UOP
announced the second ISOALKY license.22 Hongrun is the first petrochemical manufacturer in China to license the ISOALKY technology
and will use the process to produce cleaner-burning motor fuels at its refinery complex in China. Start-up is sometime in 2021-2022.
Well Resources-Ionikylation
Well Resources' Ionikylation is a proprietary composite ionic
liquid (CIL) alkylation process.23 The innovative CIL catalyst
is formulated by modifying chloroaluminate IL with metallic
chloride. The CIL promotes the formation of high-value
C8 products, such as TMPs, from mixed-olefin feedstock.
Consequently, Ionikylation has a high yield and greater
selectivity toward the production of high-quality (96-98 RON)
alkylates (Figure 10). The CIL catalyst is non-hazardous, noncorrosive and environmentally friendly. Carbon steel is used as
construction material for all process equipment. Ionikylation
operates at ambient temperatures and moderate pressures.
Operating costs are comparable to traditional alkylation
processes.
Light hydrocarbons have high solubility and diffusivity in the
CIL catalyst. In the Ionikylation reactor, light hydrocarbon feed
is mixed with the circulating CIL catalyst. Reactor effluents are
sent to a settler; gravity separation differentiates the alkylate
product and unreacted light ends from the heavier catalyst.
The alkylate and light ends are sent to the fractionator and
separated into alkylate product and recycle streams. The CIL
catalyst is recycled and regenerated within the process using
an organic chloride activating agent and proprietary additives.
A very small amount of spent catalyst and solids are removed,
which are chemically benign and can be safely disposed.
Projects. Ionikylation was first piloted in 2003 in a 20-tpy
demonstration unit. In 2005, the Ionikylation catalyst was
successfully used to retrofit an existing 65,000 tpy (65 Mtpy)
SA-catalyzed alkylation unit. In 2013, the first greenfield
Figure 10. Flow diagram of Ionikylation composite Ionic-liquid process.
Source: Well Resources.
Table 5. Commercial installations of Ionikylation process
Source: Chang et al., 2018.
The Catalyst Review
July 2020
11
The Catalyst Review July 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review July 2020
The Catalyst Review July 2020 - cover
The Catalyst Review July 2020 - contents
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