Feedstock composition of Octamax technology
Components 1-Butene Iso-Butene Trans-Butene Cis-Butene Iso-Butane N-Butane Iso-Pentane
Composition (wt%)
9-14
16-22 11-14
8-11
30-35 7-10 0.5-2 0.1-0.5
Pentane
Table 1
hydrocarbon-based, oxygenate-free stream. This allows refiners to maximise their ethanol blending potential without breaching regulatory limits on oxygen content. As a result, the product not only supports compliance with E20 fuel norms but also unlocks further flexibility in gasoline formulation. Process chemistry In Octamax technology, C₄ olefins present in the stream from the catalytic cracker and/or naphtha cracker are oligomerised into corresponding C₈ and higher olefins. Dimerisation of iso-butene to iso-octene is a predominant reaction in this technology. It takes place in the presence of a heterogeneous acidic catalyst under mild temperature and pressure conditions. The product contains primarily iso-octene, along with some co-dimers and C 12 oligomers. The selectivity of the desired dimer product is improved through the addition of polar compound(s) into the reactor as an additive, which suppresses the formation of higher oligomers like trimers (C 12 olefins) and tetramers (C 16 olefins). One of the key features of the technology is the in-situ production of the polar compound(s) in a separate fixed-bed hydration reactor, using a portion of the C₄ stream as feed. understanding of the process, encompassing not only catalyst performance but also flow configuration, and process control strategies ” “ The bench-scale experimentation helped develop a comprehensive
Process development The process know-how for Octamax was developed indigenously by IOCL R&D through a combination of innovative process design, catalyst system optimisation, and rigorous experimental validation. To translate lab- scale insights into practical application, a custom-designed bench-scale unit was developed to simulate real-world commercial plant conditions. This unit was instrumental in bridging the gap between fundamental research and process design by allowing continuous operation under controlled, scalable conditions. Key features of the bench unit included feedstock pre-conditioning, temperature and pressure control systems, and an integrated product separation section to mimic downstream processing. The bench-scale experimentation helped develop a comprehensive understanding of the process, encompassing not only catalyst performance but also flow configuration, and process control strategies. These insights proved invaluable in designing the final process scheme, including start-up and shutdown procedures, troubleshooting protocols, and methodologies for catalyst loading and regeneration. Figure 2 55 kTA Octamax unit at Mathura Refinery
Refining India
18
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