Sulfuric acid alkylation process in the oil & gas industry

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.