Catalysis 2024 Issue

Conclusion Gasolfin technology will accelerate the industry’s reduction of GHG emissions both in the conventional refinery and in a renewable refinery. The Gasolfin naphtha-to-olefins process converts paraffins, naphthenes, and olefins into maximum propylene at yields up to 48% with ultra-low GHG emis - sions. There are many applications for this new technology. • An FCC-centred refinery may transition its FCC catalyst to a high rare-earth-based catalyst formulation for maxi - mum naphtha yield, followed by a Gasolfin operation for maximum propylene. • All refiners will be enabled to separate their pentane and/or LSR streams currently being blended into gasoline and con - vert this low-octane, high-RVP component into light olefin. • The Gasolfin unit is an investment today for processing fossil naphthas and for renewable naphthas in the future with low GHG emissions. Gasolfin TM is a trademark of Inovacat B.V., a Dutch green molecule tech - nologies innovator. References 1 Energy and GHG Reductions in the Chemical Industry via Catalytic Processes: Annexes , International Energy Agency, International Council of Chemical Associations, Dechema, 2013, pp 17-21. 2 Dziedziak C R, Murphy J J, Olefin production pathways with reduced CO2 emissions, PTQ, Q3 2023, pp 39-47. Ray Fletcher is a Chemical Engineer with over 36 years of operating and process design experience. He is Chief Technology Officer at Inovacat, which developed the Gasolfin technology, and Alleo Energy, which has developed a pyrolysis process for direct conversion of cellulose-to-fuel.

• Hydrocracker-based refineries: Hydrocracker-based refineries have the excess isobutane required for alkylation but lack the butylene typically produced in the FCC unit. A hydrocracker-centric refinery may divert its virgin naphthas and/or its hydrocracker naphtha to a Gasolfin plant to pro - duce propylene and butylene. Such an operation will permit the construction of an alkylation unit to enhance the produc - tion of premium gasoline. • Steam cracker operations: Steam crackers process - ing a mix of light gas (ethane, LPG) and light naphtha are required to recycle pentanes back to the feed furnace to thoroughly convert these refractive molecules. Including a Gasolfin unit in the steam cracker complex may more effi - ciently convert the pentanes into ethylene, propylene, and butylene, eliminating this recycle stream and increasing the fresh feed rate. • Transition technology: The Gasolfin catalyst will convert both fossil- and bio-derived naphthas without losing effi - ciency. Only one of these units is needed to convert tradi - tional naphthas and all future bio-derived naphthas. Technology status Bench-scale and pilot plant testing has been completed for the Gasolfin technology. The FEED study is currently being finalised for a demonstration unit to be operated at an Asian refinery. The demonstration plant will start operations in early 2025 in order to commercialise the technology in 2027. Gasolfin is in fundraising mode to finance this pro - gramme up to commercialisation.

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Catalysis 2024