K-SAAT TM
KBR Solid Acid Alkylation Technology
K-SAAT Highlights
• For refiners who wish to increase alkylate production
to increase octane for gasoline blending
• Because octane requirements are increasing with
demand for cleaner burning fuels & engine efficiency
• Who are dissatisfied with hazardous liquid acid-based
alkylation processes and their high cost for acid
handling and maintenance
• Our technology K-SAAT is a revolutionary alkylation
process which uses a solid non-hazardous catalyst
• That delivers a very high yield of specification alkylate
from an unmatched variety of feeds while being
inherently safe and low-cost. Also available as
modular supply it provides customers a very fast
return on investment.
What is Alkylation?
• Alkylation is a process that many refineries use to
produce high octane motor and aviation fuels
• During the process, light hydrocarbons are combined
in the presence of a catalyst to produce alkylate
What drives Global Alkylate Demand?
Global demand for motor fuels continues to rise to
record levels whilst stricter environmental standards
and oxygenate blend requirements for gasoline place a
premium on low Reid Vapor pressure, clean-burning
components.
The potential of alkylate is only limited by the costly
technology that, until now, was required to produce it.
KBR has developed a new alkylation process that
overcomes this challenge.
Why K-SAAT?
Compared a conventional HF or Sulfuric Acid alkylation
technology, K-SAAT process offers the following
advantages:
• Higher product yield and better product quality
• Lower CAPEX and OPEX due to lower equipment and
energy requirements
• Better feedstock flexibility through improved
impurities tolerance
• Lowest plot space requirements
• No Safety Concerns due to solid nature of the catalyst
Drivers for a K-SAAT unit
• Increase alkylation capacity
• Retrofit existing liquid acid alkylation units
• Monetize LPG from shale or excess ethylene
Growth Markets
• Demand growth areas – Grassroots Investments:
Middle East, China, Asia, Latin America, Russia/CIS
• Large installed base – Revamps:
North America, Europe
Investment / Economics
• Average investment of about $60M for 10,000 BPSD
grassroots and $36M for revamp (ISBL USGC 2017)
• Payback period typically < 3 Years for Grassroots
Experience & Selected Recent Successes:
K-SAAT is a breakthrough technology and has attracted
wide industry interest since its market introduction.
Dong Ying Haike Ruilin Chemical (2016), Wynnewood
Refining (2018)
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