Sonatrach To Use Honeywell Technologies To Produce Cleaner-Burning High-Octane Fuels

DES PLAINES, Ill., Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that Sonatrach S.p.A. will use a suite of Honeywell UOP technologies to produce 200,000 metric tons per year of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a high-octane gasoline additive that reduces emissions in automobile exhaust.

Honeywell will provide technology licensing, design services, key equipment and state-of-the-art catalysts and adsorbents for the project at Sonatrach's refinery in Arzew, Algeria.

"With these technologies, Sonatrach can supply MTBE to the region's refineries to produce fuels that meet increasingly strict specifications, including Euro V," said Bryan Glover, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP's Process Technology & Equipment business. "As a single licensor of all technologies in the process, Honeywell UOP can provide Sonatrach the greatest value in the shortest timeframe to commissioning."

MTBE is produced from a chemical reaction between methanol, which typically is derived from natural gas, and isobutylene, which is derived from butane obtained from crude oil or natural gas. Due to its high octane number, it is an effective anti-knocking fuel additive to produce cleaner-burning gasoline.

Included in the technology package is UOP's Butamer' technology, which isomerizes normal butane into isobutane. UOP has more than 85 Butamer units currently in operation worldwide.

The package also includes a UOP C₄ Oleflex' unit to dehydrogenate isobutane into isobutylene. C₄ Oleflex features low energy consumption, low emissions and a fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system which minimizes environmental impact. This results in a lower cash cost of production, and higher return on investment than competing technologies. Honeywell UOP has been awarded 55 dehydrogenation projects since 2011.

The contract also includes a UOP Ethermax' unit that converts isobutylene and methanol into a high-octane MTBE blending agent that contains no benzene or aromatics. The Ethermax technology delivers a high MTBE yield and is currently used in 44 units worldwide.

Sonatrach is the largest company in Algeria, employing 120,000 people and accounting for almost one-third of Algeria's gross national product. Sonatrach operates the Hassi Messaoud oil field, the largest in Algeria, in addition to several other fields.

Honeywell UOP (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. Honeywell UOP is part of Honeywell's Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions (www.honeywellprocess.com), a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com/us/en) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/us/en/news.