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What is the status of the first commercialization projects using solid alkylation catalysts?
 
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27/07/2011 A: Amarjit Bakshi, Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC, abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com
Alkyclean and other solid acid alkylation including manufactured catalysts are still not showing real advantage either in Capex, Opex and also in product quality. The maximum one can do is burn the coke about every 10 to 15 days which needs lot of catalyst and decoking of the catalyst equipment together with energy.
Solid acid catalyst might want to claim that it does not need autorefrigeration compressor and associated power and do not need the mixing/emulsion forming energy. RHT alkylation overcomes these by using ejectors and also using absorptions rather than compression to condense the autorefrigeration vapors.
These technologies can be sold even with low payback to other countries where Eximbank financing might be required as the client is more interested in financing than best technology.
So Client's need to reactive to meet the requirements of refinery to get best technology. RHT alkylation works at low temperature providing low acid consumption and better product quality.
11/09/2009 A: keith bowers, B and B Consulting, kebowers47@gmail.com
Solid catalyst alkylation unit performance has reportedly been 'mixed'. The unfavorable results are not 'directly' attributable to the solid catalyst. 'Directly' is the operative work. As is true with any 'moving reaction zone' catalyst bed process, a key factor is obtaining (and maintaining) a uniform rate of reaction zone movement--so some spots do not deactivate/regenerate faster that others. This is much more important in processes where the deactivation rate is high, the reaction is exo-thermic, and catalyst plugging reactions can 'permanently' deactivate the catalyst.
In reality, is it quite difficult to achieve thoroughly uniform reactant mix and velocity through a packed bed. Local space-velocity variations are 'natural' and must be minimized by very careful catalyst loading, reactant mix/distribution devices, and avoidance of any operation upsets that might cause local hot-spots.
You should contact the Process Licensors and ask them for any operating data they can/will share with you. Most information is closely held and not in 'public' domain.
07/09/2007 A: Amarjit Bakshi, Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC, abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com
There are 3 to 4 licensors who are offering solid acid catalyst alkylation technology. Based on published information, one unit has been sold in Russia and one in Eastern Europe. The status of these units is not known as one knows that some times it takes much longer to execute the jobs in these areas.
Refining hydrocarbon Technologies LLC (RHT LLC) has developed a low temperature, advance mixing device, dry acid/ hydrocarbon separation and refrigeration vapor absorption technology for alkylation.
RHT LLC is also looking at solid acid catalyst alkylation technology and is in the process of filing patents in that area.......