Lithuania: Plant Engineering Dupont Wins Alkylation Technology Contract by Orlen Lietuva

Dupont Clean Technologies has secured a Stratco Alkylation Technology contract from Orlen Lietuva. Under the terms of the agreement, Dupont will provide licensing, engineering, and technical services for the Stratco alkylation unit as well for a MECS spent acid regeneration unit located at Orlen Lietuva’s Mažeikiai refinery in Lithuania.

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Delaware/USA – Dupont Clean Technologies (Dupont) has been awarded the contract to supply Orlen Lietuva (Orlen) with licensing, engineering, and technical services for a Stratco alkylation unit and a MECS spent acid regeneration (SAR) unit at the Mažeikiai refinery in Mažeikiai, Lithuania.

The Mažeikiai refinery processes an average of 8 million tons of crude per year with capacity of up to 10 million tons of crude per year. In order to increase refinery complexity and flexibility of the Mažeikiai refinery, Orlen commissioned Dupont for a Stratco alkylation unit with 240 kmta (6,000 bpsd) alkylate capacity. The alkylation unit will utilize LPG in the conversion to alkylate, and therefore upgrade refinery profitability. The 75 mtpd MECS SAR unit, also under license from Dupont, will provide the refinery with a consistent supply of sulfuric acid, which is utilized as the catalyst for the alkylation unit, while ensuring compliance with the region’s stringent emission regulations.

The Stratco alkylation unit will enable Orlen to generate low-sulfur, high-octane, low-Rvp alkylate with zero olefins that meets the criteria of the Euro VI standard. Startup for both units is targeted for 2025.

“The addition of an alkylation unit will continue to increase the flexibility of operations and refining efficiency at the Mažeikiai Refinery. We are extremely excited to enter into this project with Orlen, supporting them through their modernization efforts by enabling them to produce high quality alkylate for their gasoline pool. It will be our pleasure to assist Orlen from design to startup of their unit and for years to follow,” said Kevin Bockwinkel, global business manager, Stratco Alkylation Technology.

PROCESS Insights 2020-05
Challenges for EPC Contractors

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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.

The MECS Spent Acid Regeneration (SAR) technology is an extremely reliable, dry gas technology which produces the highest acid concentration (99.2 wt % sulfuric acid and oleum) of all SAR processes for refinery alkylation, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate unit performance. High acid concentrations are particularly important for refinery alkylation units as it increases alkylate quality and reduces acid consumption.

MECS SAR plants offer high mechanical reliability and high on-stream time in comparison to wet gas processes, while also providing emissions abatement to ensure compliance with local and country environmental requirements. Integrated into the MECS SAR technology are proven specialty products such as catalysts, Brink mist eliminators, Dynawave scrubbers, Zecor corrosion resistant alloy products, and acid coolers all of which are specifically designed for the most demanding operating environments.

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