Characteristics of Octamax product
100 80 120 140
Properties
Values
Density, kg/m³
720-750
RVP @ 38 o C , kPa
<20 <20
Metals (V, Ni, Fe, CU, Zn & Na), ppb
60
Total sulphur, ppmw
Depends on feed sulphur
40
Saturates, wt%
<5
20
Olefins, wt%
>95 <0.5 <0.5 >110
0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Aromatics, wt% Oxygenates, wt%
Time on stream (TOS), days
Blending RON
Deployment at Mathura Refinery The Octamax unit at Mathura Refinery was successfully commissioned in January 2018 (see Figure 2 ). Since then, the unit has outperformed design estimates with respect to BRON and product yield. A consistent product BRON of 122 has been achieved, exceeding the guaranteed value of 108. Figure 3 shows the time on stream vs BRON of the product since commissioning. The consistent production of such a high RON has enabled the refinery to augment its gasoline pool with respect to both quality and quantity. Owing to its high RON and its blending into the gasoline pool, a significant quantity of low-RON naphtha, typically 2.0-2.2 tons per ton of Octamax product, is upgraded to the gasoline pool. Advantages The Octamax technology employs a simple configuration, including fixed-bed reactors and a distillation column with environmentally safe solid catalyst operating under moderate conditions. It offers a superior alternative to conventional alkylation technologies, which rely on hazardous homogeneous catalysts like sulphuric acid or hydrofluoric acid, while also ensuring lower Capex and Opex. The key features of the technology are: • Novel process scheme for maximising conversion to high octane components. • In-situ production of polar components in a separate reactor. • Accepts wider range of feedstocks (C₄ stream from catalytic and naphtha cracker). • Feed pretreatment is optional, depending on the level of impurities in the C₄ stream. Figure 3 Performance of Octamax unit at Mathura Refinery in terms of its product BRON
Table 2
Beyond new plant design, the established experimental methodologies are equally applicable for troubleshooting, process optimisation, and catalyst selection or replacement in existing units. This flexibility reinforces Octamax as a technologically mature and refinery-ready solution, supported by a strong foundation of in-house scientific research and engineering design. Feedstocks and characteristics The Octamax technology accepts a wider range of cracked feedstocks, including the C 4 stream from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and the naphtha cracker. The typical range of feed composition is given in Table 1 . Typical characteristics of the product are given in Table 2 . It is a high-octane, olefin- rich hydrocarbon stream with a blending RON exceeding 110, making it highly suitable for direct blending into the gasoline pool. It is oxygenate-free, offering distinct advantages over conventional octane boosters, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert- butyl ether (ETBE), tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) or tertiary amyl ethyl ether (TAEE), or ethanol in scenarios where oxygen content limits must be observed. The product also exhibits favourable volatility properties. Its chemical composition, predominantly composed of C 8 and C 12 olefinic dimers with a minimum concentration of saturates and aromatics, is compatible with other refinery blendstocks. These attributes collectively make the product a valuable blending component for both regular and premium-grade gasoline formulations.
Refining India
19
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