Isomerization

Zuhaib Ahmed
084
Ayesha Majeed
014
Muhammad Bilal
048
Ali Asad
048

DDp-FA12-BECDDP-FA12-BECDDP-FA12-BECDDP-FA12-BECUOP 4077L-1

Isomerization
Isomerization is the process by which one molecule is
transformed into another molecule which has exactly the same
atoms, but the atoms have a different arrangement.
Isomerization converts linear molecules such as normal
pentane into higher-octane branched molecules for blending
into the end-product gasoline.

Isomerization
The LSR is characterized by a low octane number, ordinarily
60 to 70 research octane number (RON).
The isomerization process is gaining importance in the present
refining context due to limitations on gasoline benzene,
aromatics, and olefins.
The isomerization unit is comprised of three sections, Feed
Preparation, Penex and Molex and increases the octane from
65 to 90.

Octane Number
A gasoline's octane number is a measure of its ability to resist
knocking as it burns in the combustion chamber of an engine.
Octane number denotes the percentage by volume of iso-octane (a
type of octane) in a combustible mixture (containing iso-octane
and normal-heptane) whose antiknocking characteristics match
those of the gas being tested.
A gasoline with an octane number of 92 has the same knock as
a mixture of
92%isooctane and
8% heptane.

Types of Naphtha
Heavy Naphtha

Heavy naphtha boils between 90 C and 200 C and consists

of molecules with 612 carbons.

They are more often used as feed for refinery catalytic

reformers where they convert the lower octane naphtha to a
higher octane rating product called reformate.

Types of Naphtha
Light Naphtha
Light naphtha is the fraction boiling between 30 C and
90 C.

It consists of molecules with 56 carbon atoms.

This naphtha being less dense contains higher paraffin

contents and small carbon chains.

Types of Naphtha
Isomerizati
on
Napht
ha

Reformer

is fractionated into two

fractions (LSRN, HSRN)
Heavy Naphtha is feed of
reformation unit.
Light Naphtha will be a
feedstock for isomerization
unit.
Naphtha

UOP Penex process

The isomerization process is designed for continuous catalytic
isomerization of pentane, hexane and their mixtures, the
process is conducted in atmosphere of hydrogen over a fixed
bed of catalyst at operating condition, that only favors
isomerization and minimize hydrocracking.
The isomerization, catalyst will convert feed parrafins to high
octane number branched structures i.e C5 to isopentane and C6
to 2,2 and 2, 3 Dimethyl butane.

Kinetics and Thermodynamics

An increase in temperature always corresponds to an increase
in reaction velocity.
Yield of isoparaffins increases with reducing temperature .
At higher temperature the yield of isoparaffins is limited by
the thermodynamic equilibrium.
at lower temperature it is limited by low reaction rate (kinetic
equilibrium).

Kinetics and Thermodynamics

Reactions
Following reactions are being carried out in the two
reactors i.e. isomerization of normal paraffins to isoparaffins:
CH3(CH2)3CH3 +H2
n-hexane + H2
2-MP
3-MP + H2
n-heptane + H2

CH3C2H4CH2CH3
2,2-DMB + 2,3-DMB
3-MP
2,2-DMB + 2,3-DMB
2,2-DMP + 2,4-DMP

Eq.1
Eq. 2
Eq. 3
Eq. 4
Eq. 5

Catalysts
Chlorided Alumina: Highest activity/performance
Sensitive to contaminants
Regeneration not required
Sulfated Zirconia: Good activity/performance
Tolerant to contaminants
Regenerable
Zeolitic: Lower activity/performance
More tolerant to
contaminants
Regenerable

Catalysts

Isomerisation Octane
Portfolio
95
Research
Octane
90
85

RONC

80
75
70

80-82

78-80

60-70

82-84

gh
u
o
r
Th
nce

65
60
55

Light
Naphtha Zeolitic Par-Isom Penex
Feed

Isomerization Yields
Operating Conditions

Pt/Chlorine Alumina
Catalyst

Pt/Zeolite Catalyst

Temperature (c)

120-180

250-270

Pressure (bar)

20-30

15-30

Space velocity(1/h)

1-2

1-2

H2 /HC (mol/mol)

0.1-2

2-4

Product RON

83-84

78-80

Comparison of operating conditions of isomerization

Feed and product composition

LSRN component

Feed wt(%)

product wt(%)

RONC

Iso-Pentane

22

41

92

N-Pentane

33

12

62

2,2-Dimethylbutane

15

96

2,3-Dimethylbutane

84

2-Methylpentane

12

15

74

3-Methylpentane

10

74

N-Hexane

20

26

Total

100

100

Isomerization Conclusions

Cost effective production of high value blend stock

Facilitates lead reduction.
Future proof solution
No sulfur

New catalysts improve product quality and increase refinery

flexibility
Wide commercial experience and customer satisfaction.

Hazard
Analysis

I suppose that I
should have done that
HAZOP Study!