Sinopec Qilu Successfully Starts Up DuPont™ STRATCO® Alkylation Technology

First Commercialization of Larger Contactor™ Reactor

Wilmington, DE (PRWEB) - DuPont Clean Technologies (DuPont) is pleased to announce that the STRATCO^® alkylation unit at the Sinopec Qilu refinery in Zibo, Shandong Province, China, successfully completed the performance test, certifying that the unit is meeting required performance guarantees. The STRATCO^® alkylation unit at Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Qilu) is designed to produce 400 kmta (10,300 BPSD) of alkylate product from a MTBE raffinate feedstock and enables production of low-sulfur, high-octane, low-Rvp alkylate with zero olefins that meets the criteria of the China V standard.

“It is our great pleasure to see this successful collaboration between DuPont and Sinopec come to fruition. In order to meet extreme plot space limitations within the refinery complex, DuPont worked to design and fabricate the Model 74 Contactor™ reactor, reducing equipment count and providing high reliability to Sinopec. We are very pleased with the implementation of this larger reactor, affording Sinopec Qilu the high on-stream time they have come to expect from our technology. As Sinopec continues to drive towards lower emission specifications, DuPont was excited to assist with a custom-designed solution,” said Kevin Bockwinkel, global business manager, STRATCO^® alkylation technology.

The Sinopec Qilu refinery marks the first commercialization of the innovative Model 74 Contactor™ reactors. Fundamentally the same as commercially operating reactors in service throughout the world, the Model 74 Contactor™ reactors reduce the total number of reactors and plot space required for STRATCO^® alkylation units and result in an overall lower capital cost. These reactors continue to offer the high reliability and productivity refiners have grown accustomed to with the STRATCO^® alkylation technology. The Model 74 Contactor™ reactor includes the latest reactor improvements and each has a volume of 68.1 m3 (18,000 gallons), increasing volume from the standard size Contactor™ (Model 63) at 43.5 m3 (11,500 gallons) per reactor. Both reactor models are commercially available from DuPont.

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.

About DuPont Clean Technologies
The Clean Technologies division of DuPont is a global leader in process technology licensing & engineering, with an unwavering commitment to customer support. We provide extensive global expertise across our portfolio of offerings in key applications - MECS® sulfuric acid production, STRATCO^® alkylation, BELCO^® wet scrubbing and IsoTherming^® hydroprocessing. Offering critical process equipment, products, technology and services, we enable an array of industrial markets, including phosphate fertilizer, non-ferrous metals, oil refining, petrochemicals and chemicals, to minimize their environmental impact and optimize productivity. We are dedicated to helping our customers produce high-quality products used in everyday life in the safest, most environmentally-sound way possible, with a vision to make the world a better place by creating clean alternatives to traditional industrial processes. We make everyday life better, safer, cleaner. http://www.cleantechnologies.dupont.com

About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food and worker safety. More information can be found at http://www.dupont.com.

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