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.