The small capital requirements of this process lead to numerous
opportunities to replace older units.
- Liquid acid alkylation units can be converted to ExSact
process by replacing the reaction section with two fixed
beds. The separation train is retained. An added attraction
of the ExSact process is the ability to use certain feedstocks
without pre-treatment.
- Cat-poly and olefin dimerization units are particularly
well suited for retrofit, since the existing reactors can
be used with only minor modifications. A de-isobutanizer
is added to the separation train.
- MTBE Unit Replacement: Alkylation is a valuable addition
to any MTBE facility by converting the unused n-butenes
into additional high-value product. However, MTBE is being
phased out in certain countries. Current isobutylene producers
can replace MTBE production with alkylation without sacrificing
capacity. The ExSact catalyst is capable of directly alkylating
isobutane with isobutylene to produce high-octane alkylate.
ExSact process offers considerable advantages over olefin
dimerization and indirect alkylation (dimerization followed
by hydrogenation). It offers a 10 to 12-point MON advantage
over the dimerization product, and double the production
capacity for a given amount of olefin. This leads to a tremendous
gain in octane-barrels. Such an advantage is particularly
important to MTBE producers facing declining demand who are
considering switching to another technology to utilize isobutylene. |
