20-04-2021

Sinopec starts up two STRATCO® alkylation units

DuPont Clean Technologies is pleased to announce successful performance tests for the STRATCO® alkylation units at the Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company refinery in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China and the Yangzi Company refinery in Nianjing, Jiangsu, China. These performance tests certify the STRATCO® alkylation units are meeting performance guarantees.  The ZRCC and YPC STRATCO® alkylation units both process MTBE raffinate feeds and are designed to produce 7,700 bpsd (300 kmta) and 7,500 bpsd (300 kmta) of alkylate, respectively.

The STRATCO® alkylation units will enable Sinopec to generate low-sulfur, high-octane, low-Rvp alkylate with zero olefins that meets the criteria of the China VI standard.

“The successful startups and operation at the Zhenhai and Yangzi refineries continue to demonstrate excellence in the application of the STRATCO® Alkylation Technology in the Sinopec organization. This endeavor of designing and building seven alkylation units over the last several years has created strong relationships with each of the refineries. We are grateful for this opportunity to provide Sinopec with our reliable technology that enables them to produce high quality alkylate, improving the quality of the refinery gasoline pool,” said Kevin Bockwinkel, global business manager, STRATCO® Alkylation Technology.

The STRATCO® alkylation technology is a sulfuric acid-catalyzed process that converts low-value, straight-chain olefins (propylene, butylene and amylene) into high-value, branched components called alkylate. Alkylate is known for its superior blending properties and is a key component for clean gasoline.  The STRATCO® alkylation technology helps refiners safely produce cleaner-burning gasoline with high octane, low Reid vapor pressure, low sulfur, zero aromatics and zero olefins. Licensed and marketed by DuPont as part of its Clean Technologies portfolio, the STRATCO® alkylation technology is the world-leading alkylation technology with more than 100 licensed units worldwide and more than 915,000 bpsd (35,800 kmta) of installed capacity. DuPont is committed to alkylation research and has extensive experience in assisting refiners with alkylation research, design, start-ups, test runs, troubleshooting, optimization, revamps, expansions, analytical testing, operator training, turnarounds and HAZOP studies.