2 ISOALKY ™ Technology: Next-Generation Alkylate Gasoline …
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2.9 UOP’s Efforts in Alkylation Process Development
Using Ionic Liquid Catalyst
Honeywell UOP started exploratory work on ionic liquid catalytic processes in 2005.
By 2009, UOP launched a research and development program on an alkylation process using ionic liquid catalysts. The efforts led to the construction and operation of
an alkylation pilot plant and a regeneration pilot plant. The studies led to the design
of a demonstration plant in 2014 for scale-up of the UOP alkylation technology.
Since then, the project direction was changed as Honeywell UOP and Chevron initiated discussion on an alliance formation to produce a better alkylation technology
through synergy between the companies.
2.10 Formation of Chevron-UOP Alliance for ISOALKY
Licensing to Industry
The alliance was formed in March 2016 to license the ISOALKY Technology broadly
to the refining industry, and the two companies have been working closely ever since
to further improve the technology. The two companies have complementary strengths
in that both are key technology developers for the industry. Chevron brought in
operational experiences of the ISOALKY Technology and commercial plant design,
and UOP brought in new technology launch experiences and process engineering
expertise.
UOP is the exclusive licensor of the ISOALKY Technology and for sales of
relevant catalyst and materials. Process designs of a revamp plant as well as grassroots
plant for licensing have been developed jointly.
2.11 ISOALKY Technology Commercialization
In September 2016, Chevron Corporation made a final investment decision to convert
the existing approximately 5,000 BPD HF alkylation unit at its 53,000 BPD refinery in
Salt Lake City, Utah, into ISOALKY Technology, the first-ever retrofit conversion of
a HF alkylation plant into an alternative technology. Construction on the conversion
project began in 2018 with the ISOALKY Plant due for a startup in 2020.
The refining industry has shown strong interests in ISOALKY Technology and
has kept watchful eyes on the progress of the first commercial Chevron project. Due
to the scale of refinery operations, this ISOALKY Alkylation Catalyst is believed to
be the largest volume industrial application of ionic liquids to date.
45
2.9 UOP’s Efforts in Alkylation Process Development
Using Ionic Liquid Catalyst
Honeywell UOP started exploratory work on ionic liquid catalytic processes in 2005.
By 2009, UOP launched a research and development program on an alkylation process using ionic liquid catalysts. The efforts led to the construction and operation of
an alkylation pilot plant and a regeneration pilot plant. The studies led to the design
of a demonstration plant in 2014 for scale-up of the UOP alkylation technology.
Since then, the project direction was changed as Honeywell UOP and Chevron initiated discussion on an alliance formation to produce a better alkylation technology
through synergy between the companies.
2.10 Formation of Chevron-UOP Alliance for ISOALKY
Licensing to Industry
The alliance was formed in March 2016 to license the ISOALKY Technology broadly
to the refining industry, and the two companies have been working closely ever since
to further improve the technology. The two companies have complementary strengths
in that both are key technology developers for the industry. Chevron brought in
operational experiences of the ISOALKY Technology and commercial plant design,
and UOP brought in new technology launch experiences and process engineering
expertise.
UOP is the exclusive licensor of the ISOALKY Technology and for sales of
relevant catalyst and materials. Process designs of a revamp plant as well as grassroots
plant for licensing have been developed jointly.
2.11 ISOALKY Technology Commercialization
In September 2016, Chevron Corporation made a final investment decision to convert
the existing approximately 5,000 BPD HF alkylation unit at its 53,000 BPD refinery in
Salt Lake City, Utah, into ISOALKY Technology, the first-ever retrofit conversion of
a HF alkylation plant into an alternative technology. Construction on the conversion
project began in 2018 with the ISOALKY Plant due for a startup in 2020.
The refining industry has shown strong interests in ISOALKY Technology and
has kept watchful eyes on the progress of the first commercial Chevron project. Due
to the scale of refinery operations, this ISOALKY Alkylation Catalyst is believed to
be the largest volume industrial application of ionic liquids to date.