Sulfuric acid alkylation process in the oil & gas industry
Feed of propene and butene monitoring
The lighter oils originating from the lower parts of the distillation column, after passing through Hydrotreaters and the Fluid Catalytic Cracker (FCC), produce low-molecular-weight alkenes (butenes (C4), pentenes (C5), propene (C3H6)) and also isobutene (C4H10). The acid alkylation process converts these streams into alkylate, a high octane and clean burning gasoline blending component. Depending on the acid used, the process is called either SAA (Sulfuric Acid Alkylation) or HFA (Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation).
Significant amounts of sulfuric acid are used during the alkylation process: to withstand the effects of the corrosive liquids on such instrumentation, KROHNE has developed a dedicated electromagnetic flowmeter. For flow measurement of the feed of propene and butene and for the produced alkylate measurement, KROHNE has a series of ultrasonic flowmeters available.
Process details
Requirements:
- Process control
- Changing composition
Recommended products and solutions:
Requirements:
- Process control
- Agressive medium
Recommended products and solutions:
Requirements:
- Avoid contamination
- Varying levels of hydrocarbon emulsion and sulfuric acid
Recommended products and solutions:
OPTIFLEX 1300
Guided radar (TDR) level transmitter for heavy-duty level and interface applications
BM 26 A
Magnetic bypass level indicator for liquid and liquid-liquid interface applications
Requirements:
- Prevent overfill
- Determine level in scrubber
Recommended products and solutions:
BM 26 F2200
Magnetic bypass level indicator with guided radar (TDR) for liquid level applications
Requirements:
- Maintain mass balance
- Process control
Recommended products and solutions:
Requirements:
- Visualisation and monitoring of critical processes
- Control of reporting, trends and alarm handling
- Statistical evaluation of measurement data
Recommended products and solutions:
SynEnergy Supervisory and visualisation software
Solution for continuous process monitoring and reporting
CalSys Analyser Management software
Solution for analyser management and data acquisition (AMADAS)