The presence of high concentrations of isobutylene in alkylation olefin feeds reduces the alkylate product quality and octane value due to its highly reactive nature. Lummus Technology’s CDAlkyPlus® technology couples the CDAlky® alkylation process with a simple olefin pretreatment step when high concentrations of isobutylene are present in the olefin feed. This combination provides significant benefits compared with conventional and direct isobutylene alkylation:
- Superior quality product with lower acid consumption
- Lower capital and utility costs
- Improved environmental performance by eliminating waste caustic streams
Because isobutane and isobutylene reacts together, the CDAlkyPlus process produces two times the volume of gasoline blend stock compared with iso-octene production, and therefore is ideal for use downstream of an isobutane dehydrogenation process. The CDAlkyPlus technology also provides a unique opportunity for revamping existing a dehydrogenation unit-based MTBE plant, since much of the existing equipment can be re-used, thereby reducing capital requirements.
