Honeywell introduces process to convert 100% of naphtha into cleaner-burning Euro-V gasoline

DES PLAINES, ILL., April 8, 2021 - Honeywell today announced a new refinery configuration developed by Honeywell UOP to produce a cleaner-burning gasoline product that meets increasingly stringent fuel regulations, including the Euro V standard, which limits sulfur content and restricts carbon emissions  from gasoline and diesel vehicles.

The UOP Premium Gasoline Complex (PGC) employs a combination of technologies to convert 100 percent of naphtha into 95 RON Euro-V gasoline--without the addition of traditional octane boosters such as alkylate, MTBE, ETBE, and ethanol—to meet these regulations.

“This PGC configuration is an excellent solution to hydrocracking and topping refineries that need to produce cleaner-burning gasoline that meets increasingly strict fuel specifications,” said Bryan Glover, president and CEO, Honeywell UOP. “It can be a cost-effective way for established refiners that require modernization to improve profit margins, and turn an uncompetitive refinery into a world-class operation.”

The PGC configuration operates through four main processes, beginning with full range naphtha that is fed to a naphtha hydrotreating unit, and a naphtha splitter separates the product into an overhead stream of C₅/C₆ components. From there, the product moves to a Penex™ unit, then to a sidecut stream primarily of C₇s to an IsomEx™ isomerization unit, and finally to a bottom stream rich in C₈+ components to a CCR Platforming™ unit. By integrating the three processes, the configuration can convert 100% of a naphtha feed into 95 RON (research octane number) gasoline that meets all Euro-V specifications such as aromatics, olefins and Reed Vapor Pressure.

UOP’s IsomEx technology also can be employed to increase the capacity of existing Platforming units by separately processing C₇s that would otherwise would be fed to a Platforming unit. The addition of an IsomEx unit, in effect, can expand the processing capacity of a Platforming unit by as much as 20%.

UOP is a leading global provider of each technology within the UOP Premium Gasoline Complex. More than 350 light naphtha isomerization units are in operation or in design and construction. The CCR Platforming process produces reformate for high-octane, low-sulfur gasoline and aromatics, and is designed as a reliable, continuous source of high-purity hydrogen for the production of other fuel products. Since it was first introduced in 1971, more than 375 CCR Platforming units are in operation or in design and construction worldwide.

The Penex process upgrades light naphtha feedstock to produce isomerate, a cleaner gasoline blend stock that does not contain benzene, aromatics or olefins. The new IsomEx technology isomerizes the C₇  components, helping to maximize the C₇  contribution to the gasoline pool, while maintaining high yield and limiting production of aromatics.

The conventional feed for the complex is full range straight run naphtha from a crude unit. Depending on the refinery configuration, upstream conversion unit, ,and the gasoline pool requirements, other naphtha such as hydrocracked naphtha can be processed within the UOP Premium Gasoline Complex to help ensure maximum production of premium gasoline.

Honeywell UOP 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) 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/newsroom.