Tupras selects Isoalky™ technology for its refineries to produce high octane alkylate

DES PLAINES, ILL., February 9, 2022 -- Honeywell UOP announced today that Tüpras has selected ISOALKY™ technology to produce high-quality alkylate at Tüpraş refineries, making the Turkish company the latest to convert to the new liquid alkylation process to meet the demands for cleaner-burning fuels. The announcement the ISOALKY units by Tüpras follows the announcement that Big West Oil will revamp its existing HF unit with ISOALKY technology.

“We are pleased to have selected UOP’s breakthrough alkylation technology for our refineries.” said İhsan Serdar Kemaloğlu, Assistant General Manager at Tüpraş, “We chose ISOALKY over other alkylation technologies due to key advantages. This project will enable Tupras to produce high quality gasoline which is a key component in delivering cleaner gasoline product to the market. The new technology is part of our Sustainable Refining initiative in line with our goal of providing clean energy solutions on our path to become carbon neutral by 2050 as we focus on new sustainable, core business areas.”.

ISOALKY is a cost-effective solution that offers both safety and performance advantages over other alkylation process technologies. Honeywell UOP and Chevron U.S.A. received the 2017 Platts Breakthrough Solution of the Year award in recognition for the development of the ISOALKY™ process.

ISOALKY technology produces high octane alkylate, low in sulfur with zero aromatics which all help lower emissions and tailpipe pollution[1]. Standardizing on high octane fuels like alkylate for light-duty, gasoline-powered vehicles can make a vast difference for the environment and will help drivers go further on each gallon of gasoline[2].

In the US alone, it is estimated that standardization of 95 octane gasoline would reduce carbon emissions from light duty cars and SUVs by 2.69 million metric tons and by another 1.11 million metric tons for pickup trucks[3]. This is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing of transportation fuels, unlocking cleaner, fuel-efficient transportation options.

“Cleaner-burning fuels are going to continue to be key in achieving decarbonization of the transportation industry. ISOALKY technology is becoming the preferred solution for our customers to meet that rising demand,” said Laura Leonard, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell UOP Process Technologies. “Honeywell has provided refining technology and process automation to Tüpras refineries for several decades, helping to build Turkey’s domestic oil industry.”

ISOALKY technology can be used in new refineries as well as in existing facilities undergoing capital expansion or retrofit applications. ISOALKY technology has wider and improved feed flexibility relative to conventional alkylation technologies. Ionic liquids are regenerated on-site with a simple process, eliminating the need for road or marine transportation for offsite regeneration and polymer byproduct handling. More information about ISOALKY technology can be found here.

Based in Izmir, Izmit, Kirikkale and Batman, Tupras refines and produces crude oil into high-quality motor fuels and other specialty chemicals. Tüpraş is the first producer in Turkey’s refining sector and the largest industrial enterprise of the country, operating four oil refineries with a total of 30 million tons annual crude oil processing capacity.

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.

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[1] Alkylate: Understanding a Key Component of Cleaner Gasoline

[2] 95 RON Octane Standard: A Smarter Way to Cut Carbon from Vehicles