TUTORIAL: LIGHT NAPHTHA ISOMERIZATION

Veronica G. Deak, Richard R. Rosin, and Dana K. Sullivan UOP LLC Des Plaines, Illinois

Abstract
The objectives of light naphtha isomerization have traditionally been to increase the octane of light naphtha streams and to reduce benzene content. These objectives are still relevant today as refiners search for new sources of octane to offset octane losses from MTBE phase-out or gasoline desulfurization and as refiners look for economical ways to comply with the MSAT II limits on gasoline benzene content. Light naphtha isomerization processes have been an effective solution for these objectives for more than forty years. New catalysts and new process technologies are making light naphtha isomerization technology more economical and more effective for meeting the challenges of today's refinery. This tutorial will review the fundamental thermodynamics and process concepts for light naphtha isomerization. It will then review and compare the common commercial catalysts and process configurations. The tutorial will focus on the importance of light naphtha isomerization as part of a refiner's MSAT II compliance strategy and on the comparative economics of various processes for both new units and unit revamps.

Introduction
For decades light naphtha isomerization has played an important role in refineries in increasing gasoline octane and managing benzene content. With the current limits on gasoline olefin content, benzene concentration, and endpoint, the paraffinic composition of isomerization product makes it a very useful gasoline blending component. Isomerization catalysts and processes continue to evolve to meet the new demands posed by MTBE phase-out, gasoline desulfurization, compliance with MSAT II regulations, the increase of ethanol in the gasoline pool, and the rapidly increasing cost of platinum. This paper reviews chemistry, thermodynamics, and processing schemes. It also includes a comparison of the three major types of commercial catalysts, their process configurations, and economics for both new units and conversion of existing equipment. The use of light naphtha isomerization in meeting MSAT II gasoline benzene limits is also discussed.
2008 UOP LLC. All rights reserved.

Thermodynamics and Reaction Network

The main objective of light naphtha isomerization processes is to increase the octane value of light naphtha by isomerizing the C5/C6 paraffins. The isomerization of normal pentane to iso-pentane results in a 31 RON increase and the isomerization of normal hexane to methyl-pentanes or dimethyl-butanes results in an average increase of 44 RON or 70 RON, respectively. The octane values of light naphtha paraffins are shown in the table below. Table1: Light Naphtha Blending Octane Values
Component i-pentane n-pentane 2,2 di-methyl butane 2,3 di-methyl butane 2-methyl pentane 3-methyl pentane n-hexane RONC 93.5 61.7 94.0 105.0 74.4 75.5 31.0 Component Benzene Cyclo-hexane Methyl-cyclo pentane RONC 120 84.0 96.0

Unlike many reactions in refinery processes, paraffin isomerization reactions are equilibrium limited under most commercial process conditions. A common measure of how close a product or feed stream is to the equilibrium composition is the iso-ratio of a particular paraffin. The iso-ratio is the weight percentage of the particular paraffin divided by the total weight percentage of all isomers of that paraffin. The iso-ratio for i-C5 is simply: i-C5 iso-ratio = wt% i-C5 / ( total wt% C5 paraffins ) = wt% i-C5 / (wt% n-C5 + wt% i-C5 ) For 2,2 di-methylbutane (22DMB) the iso-ratio is: 22DMB iso-ratio = wt% 22DMB / ( total wt% C6 paraffins ) = wt% 22DMB / (wt% n-C6 + wt% 2 MP + wt% 3 MP + wt% 23DMB + wt% 22DMB) Iso-ratios are stream properties similar to octane, they do not imply a reaction rate or a conversion. Since paraffin isomerization reactions are mildly exothermic, equilibrium conversion to the higher-RON, branched-paraffins is favored by lower reaction temperatures. The figure below shows the iso-ratios for i-C5 and 22 DMB for an equilibrium mixture and effect of temperature on the iso-ratios.

Figure 1: Equilibrium Iso-Ratios versus Temperature

80% 70% Formation Ratio 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 150 175 200 225 250 Temperature (C) 275 Vapor Liquid 300 325 22DMB i-C5 Vapor Liquid

Equilibrium iso-ratios are also slightly influenced by the phase of the mixture, with the vapor phase having a slightly higher equilibrium iso-ratio. Applying the RON blending values to the various isoratios, the equilibrium octane for C5 and C6 paraffins is shown below

Figure 2: Equilibrium RONC for C5 and C6 Paraffins

90 88 86 84 R 82 O 80 78 76 74 72 70 200 RONC

C5 Paraffins

C6 Paraffins

300

400 Temperature, C

500

600

The exact composition of light naphtha can vary widely depending on a refiners crude slate, processing strategy, and the design and operation of the naphtha splitter. Typically, light naphtha contains more than just C5 and C6 paraffins, it will contain C5 and C6 naphthenes, benzene, and C7 paraffins. The reactions that take place in light naphtha isomerization units fall into three broad categories: paraffin isomerization, cyclic reactions, and cracking. The catalyst formulation of commercial light naphtha isomerization catalysts contains a metal function and a strong acid function. These are the catalytic functions that influence the reactions.

Paraffin isomerization requires both a metal function and acid function. The exact mechanisms are still debated but relative importance of the catalytic functions on reactions is well known. The reactions for C5 and C6 paraffin isomerization are shown below.
W Metal
H3C

CH3 CH3

CH3

Acid H3C
CH3
CH3

CH3 H3C

Metal H C 3 Acid
CH3

CH3

CH3

CH3

St. Metal Strong H3C CH3 H3C Acid

and
H3C

and

CH3
H3C

CH3

C5 and C6 paraffin isomerization requires both metal and acid catalytic functions. C5 isomerization can take place in the presence of relatively weak metal function. C6 paraffin isomerization requires strong metal function to isomerize n-hexane to the high octane di-methyl butanes. Isomerization of n-hexane to methyl pentanes does not require as strong of a metal function as isomerization to di-methyl butane. Thermodynamically, hydrogen does not take part in paraffin isomerization reactions. However, kinetically, some partial pressure of hydrogen is required for all commercial catalysts. The exact mechanism is not clear but the rate determining step for paraffin isomerization over most commercial catalysts appears to be desorption of iso-paraffin carbo-cation. Hydrogen may have a role in the desorption of carbo-cations or in the reduction of coke-like deposits on the catalyst. Increasingly, refiners are looking to light naphtha isomerization units to manage benzene in the naphtha stream. Light naphtha isomerization catalysts are effective benzene saturation catalysts because of the metal function required for paraffin isomerization. Benzene can significantly effect the performance of a light naphtha isomerization unit thermodynamically because of the very high heat of reaction and kinetically because the basic nature of benzene can interfere with the acid sites of the catalyst. Cyclohexane formed from benzene saturation is readily isomerized to methyl-cyclopentane in the presence of acid function. In the presence of a strong metal function cyclohexane can ring open to nhexane. In the presence of a weak metal function or low hydrogen partial pressure, cyclohexane and paraffins can alkylate to heavy naphthenes.
Weak Metal Weak Acid Weak Acid
H3C

+ 3 H2

Strong Metal
H3C

CH3

+ H2
H3C

R
H3C CH3

+ Light Ends

C6 naphthenes do have high octanes, but naphthenes will attenuate the catalysts ability to isomerize paraffins. For this reason, naphthene ring opening is a desired catalyst feature and heavy naphthene formation is undesirable. Heavy paraffins, C7s, will appear in light naphtha to varying degrees depending on the naphtha splitter efficiency. C7 paraffins should ideally be in the heavy naphtha and reformed into toluene and hydrogen. Some portion of C7 paraffins in the light naphtha will crack. The presence of C7 paraffins in light naphtha does not significantly influence the maximum isomerate octane, rather the C7 paraffin cracking will influence the isomerate yield. Any light naphtha isomerization catalyst with sufficient acid strength to isomerize C5 and C6 paraffins will tend to acid crack C7 paraffins to iso-butane and propane.
CH3
H3C CH3

+ H2

Strong Acid

and
H3C CH3

H3C

CH3

Typically light naphtha operation at maximum octane and maximum yield results in half of the C7 paraffins cracked to light ends. Operations can be tuned to lower severity resulting in higher C7+ yields but lower octanes will result. Light naphtha isomerization units catalyze many reactions in addition to light paraffin isomerization reactions. It is the content of compounds other than C5/C6 paraffins in light naphtha that will affect the performance of the light naphtha isomerization unit. It is common to express the severity of a light naphtha feed in terms of the concentration of these compounds. A common measure is the X-factor of the feed. X-Factor = wt% Feed Benzene + wt% Feed C6 Naphthenes + wt% Feed C7+ compounds

Light Naphtha Isomerization Catalysts

There are three different commercial catalyst types for light naphtha isomerization: zeolitic catalyst, amorphous chlorided alumina catalyst, and sulfated zirconia catalyst. These catalyst types differ by the chemistry of the acid function. UOP is the only vendor who develops and manufactures all three types of catalysts to address the widest range of processing needs. Paraffin isomerization reactions require a combination of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites which promote varying levels of protonation activity needed for isomerization reactions to proceed. Light naphtha isomerization units carry out many different reactions, many of which require a metal function, as described above. All of the commercial isomerization catalysts include platinum in the formulation to create metal function. Platinum is preferred for its sulfur tolerance. With platinum, sulfur is not a permanent poison since it can be stripped.

As discussed above, isomerization of paraffins in C5/C6 streams is an equilibrium limited reaction where branched paraffin isomers are generally favored by low temperatures. The most active catalysts, capable of operating at the lowest temperatures, will produce the highest octane products. Only chlorided alumina type catalysts have enough acid activity for a commercially viable C4 isomerization process. To assist in aromatics saturation, there are a variety of elements that can be used. UOP offers platinum based benzene saturation catalysts not only because of the superior sulfur resistance of platinum but also because platinum based benzene saturation catalysts can operate at significantly higher temperatures than, for example, nickel catalysts. The use of platinum results in a more robust benzene saturation process with higher yields and smaller recycle streams. Zeolitic Catalysts Zeolitic catalysts have the lowest activity of the isomerization catalysts, so must operate at the highest temperatures. High temperature operation results in lower product octane due to less favorable equilibrium for branched paraffins. In addition to operating at high temperatures, zeolitic catalysts are the least selective isomerization catalysts, giving lower product yields. UOP HS-10 catalyst is a platinum impregnated zeolite. The main benefit of zeolitic catalysts is that they are not permanently deactivated by water or other oxygenates and are fully regenerable. Long catalysts lives have been commercially realized for this type of catalyst, typically exceeding 10 to 15 years. Feed hydrotreating is not an absolute requirement, but it is recommended for optimum catalyst performance. Zeolitic catalysts do not require a halide promoter, so there is no chloride injection or caustic scrubber. Chlorided Alumina Catalysts Amorphous chlorided alumina catalysts, such as UOPs I-82 catalyst, I-84 catalyst, and I-122 catalyst are the most active light naphtha isomerization catalysts currently available. Their high activity means that they operate at the lowest isomerization temperatures and thus achieve the highest octane products and highest yields. However, these catalysts are permanently deactivated by oxygenate compounds, like water and CO, so feed and makeup gas driers are needed. Well maintained driers can facilitate a long catalyst life, in excess of 10 years. Process units designed for chlorided alumina catalysts also require continuous chloride injection to maintain high activity. A caustic scrubber is needed to neutralize resulting HCl in the off-gas. These catalysts are not regenerable. Platinum helps to saturate aromatics and ring-open naphthenes, so high platinum containing catalysts are needed only for feeds that have more aromatics and naphthenes, higher X-factor feeds, or for protection from sulfur upsets. In 2006, UOP introduced I-84 and I-122 catalysts as lower platinum alternatives for low severity or low X-factor isomerization feeds for light naphtha isomerization. Chlorided alumina catalysts are irreversibly deactivated when acid sites are converted by oxygenates. Catalysts with the highest acid site densities will have the longest catalyst life. UOP favors chlorided alumina catalysts with higher support densities to achieve higher acid site density for highest initial activity and longer life.

Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts Sulfated zirconia catalysts can vary, but typically have activities between zeolitic and chlorided alumina. UOPs first generation of sulfated zirconia catalyst, LPI-100 catalyst, was commercialized in 1996. In 2003 UOP introduced its second generation, PI-242 catalyst, which approaches the activity of chlorided alumina catalysts. Sulfated zirconia catalysts are tolerant of moderate levels of oxygenates in the feed and in the makeup gas, like water and CO, eliminating the need for driers. These catalysts do not require a halide promoter, so there is no chloride injection or caustic scrubber. Sulfated zirconia catalysts are fully regenerable using a simple oxidation procedure comparable to the procedure used for zeolitic based isomerization catalysts. These properties make PI-242 catalyst an ideal candidate for the conversion of existing fixed-bed reforming units or for increasing the capacity or performance of older zeolite based units. This catalyst has also been chosen for new unit designs where the full performance benefit of the chlorided alumina based catalysts is not required or where there is a concern about feed contaminant levels. Benzene Saturation Catalysts For saturation of benzene in light naphthas, the most commonly used catalysts are either nickel or platinum based catalysts. UOP recommends platinum based catalysts. Platinum-based catalysts are not permanently poisoned by sulfur upsets and will saturate benzene with very little cracking of the naphtha to light ends, consuming minimal hydrogen. Over 25 years ago UOP commercialized H-8 catalyst, an alumina supported platinum catalyst. This catalyst is used in UOPs BenSat process. Because of the increasing price of platinum and the unique demands of motor fuel benzene saturation, UOP introduced H-18 catalyst in 2007, an alumina supported catalyst with significantly less platinum than H-8, which also allows smaller catalyst volume.

Process Flow schemes

There are a variety of flow schemes used commercially for light naphtha isomerization. The choice of which to use depends on the feed composition, desired product octane, and available capital. Hydrocarbon-once-through flow schemes produce isomerate with research octane numbers ranging from 78 to 85 depending on the catalyst system and feed composition. Hydrocarbon-recycle flow schemes deliver increased octane but lower yield by recycling lower octane components back to the reactor section inlet using fractionation or molecular sieve adsorption. Net product research octane numbers range from 87 to 93 depending on flow scheme, catalyst system, and feed composition. A process is offered by UOP for each of the three catalyst types, as shown in Table 2. For once-through hydrocarbon flow schemes the chlorided alumina PenexTM process has the highest octane product and highest product yields. The Penex unit is the most widely used process in commercial operation today. The Par-IsomTM process utilizes PI-242 catalyst. This sulfated zirconia catalyst is more resistant to contaminants than chlorided alumina but achieves a somewhat lower product octane and yield. Oncethrough hydrocarbon units using a zeolitic material such as UOPs HS-10 catalyst have the lowest product octane and yield of the three types.

Fractionation is the most popular method to recycle low octane components, especially deisohexanizer (DIH) and deisopentanizer (DIP) columns. Adsorptive separation units such as the liquid phase UOP MolexTM process or vapor phase UOP IsoSivTM process are also used to recycle hydrocarbons to the reactor. It should be noted that flow schemes which recycle normal pentane will yield a higher vapor pressure net product because of the increased isopentane content of the isomerate product. More detailed discussions of the various flow schemes and their advantages can be found in previous publications.1,2

Table 2: Unit Comparison Catalyst Type UOP Process UOP Catalyst Product RON Recycle Compressor Charge Heater Type Feed and Makeup Gas Driers Neutralization Facilities Chlorided Alumina Penex I-82, I-84, I-122 82 - 85 No Steam Exchanger Yes Yes Sulfated Zirconia Par-Isom PI-242 80 - 83 Yes Steam Exchanger No No Zeolitic HS-10 78 - 80 Yes Fired Heater No No

Economics
The performance and economics of typical Penex, Par-Isom, Penex with a DIH column (Penex-DIH), Par-Isom with a DIH column (Par-Isom-DIH), and Once-Through Zeolitic units are compared in Table 3. The values are for a 10,000 BPD unit with a 10X feed, which is considered light. Studies with high X, heavier feeds have shown the same relative results. Chlorided alumina units have the best performance but also the highest Estimated Erected Cost (EEC). In spite of the higher cost Penex units typically have the highest return on investment and profitability of the three types of process units. A Par-Isom unit provides somewhat lower performance but also has a lower EEC which is only about 75% that of a Penex unit. The Par-Isom-DIH unit has nearly the same octane product as a Penex-DIH because the lower activity of the sulfated zirconia catalyst can be compensated for with a larger recycle of low octane hydrocarbons from the column. The lower product yield with the Par-Isom-DIH flow scheme compared to the Penex-DIH is due to the cracking activity of the catalyst and is magnified by the larger hydrocarbon recycle stream. Zeolitic catalyst units are rarely chosen for new isomerization projects because of their relatively poor product octane and yield and high operating and new unit construction costs. A common way to meet processing needs and reduce EEC is to convert another type of unit to a Light Naphtha Isomerization unit. The most popular conversion is of a fixed bed reforming (FBR) unit, and EEC values for this type of conversion are included in Table 3. The reactors, recycle compressor,

stabilizer, separator, and most heat exchangers can be employed in the new process flow scheme. Conversion of a FBR to a Par-Isom unit requires only minor piping and control system changes. Conversion to a Penex unit would require the addition of feed and makeup gas driers as well as a net gas neutralization section.

Table 3: Isomerization Unit Economics for 10,000 BPD unit with a 10X (Light) Feed Process Unit Penex Par-Isom Penex-DIH Par-Isom-DIH Zeolitic Catalyst I-82 PI-242 I-82 PI-242 HS-10 C5+ Product RON 84.6 82.9 87.1 86.7 79.6 Product Yield RON*BBLS 828,000 806,000 865,000 834,000 783,000 Estimated Erected Cost $MM New Unit Converted FBR 13.5 6.3 10.0 0.32 19.1 12.4 14.7 5.4 0.32

Light Naphtha Isomerization and Benzene Management

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency MSAT II (Mobile Sources Air Toxics Phase 2) regulations will require decreasing the annual average U.S. gasoline pool benzene content to 0.62 vol% as of January 1, 2011 for most refiners. This is considerably lower than the current limit of 1.0 vol% for Reformulated Gasoline (RFG). Light naphtha isomerization is expected to play a key role in gasoline benzene management to meet the new specifications. Many refiners are already routing benzene and benzene precursors to a light naphtha isomerization unit via the overhead of the their naphtha splitter columns to avoid sending them to the reforming unit. While this approach can reduce gasoline benzene to less than 1.0 vol%, in many cases it will be insufficient to meet the new 0.62 vol% benzene specification. To further reduce benzene many refiners will need to consider adding a reformate splitter column and sending the benzene containing light reformate for further processing. An existing light naphtha isomerization unit may well be able to handle the light reformate as an additional feed stream. This approach will not only reduce the benzene but will also help recover the octane lost from saturating the benzene. If the new isomerization unit feed contains more than about 5 - 7% benzene, the exotherm across the isomerization reactor section may be too high and a benzene saturation reactor may be required upstream. For the Penex process this combination is known as the PenexPlusTM process, which can handle as much as 30% benzene in the feed. The PenexPlus process can help refiners optimize their platinum inventory. The presence of aromatics will inhibit isomerization reactions, so feedstocks that have had the benzene saturated upstream of the isomerization reactors will need less platinum on the isomerization catalyst. A benzene saturation reactor can also be installed upstream of a Par-Isom unit. Sending a high benzene feed to a zeolitic catalyst unit, even with a preceding benzene saturation reactor, is very problematic due to this catalysts extremely poor performance with very high X-factor feeds.

For those refiners long in octane and with no existing light naphtha isomerization unit, a stand-alone benzene saturation unit such as the UOP BenSat process can be employed. High levels of benzene in the feed (up to 30%) can be handled with virtually complete benzene saturation if needed.

Conclusions
Light naphtha isomerization has played an important part in gasoline production for many years, and it will continue to be a key process in helping refiners meet new gasoline formulation challenges, particularly reducing benzene content while maintaining octane. New developments in catalysts and processes will help to maintain its role in producing a high octane, non-aromatic, low sulfur gasoline blending stream. The paraffin isomerization reactions are unusual among refinery processes in being equilibrium limited, with the equilibrium favored by lower temperatures. In addition the catalysts are very effective at saturating aromatics including benzene, making the process an important option in meeting the upcoming MSAT II regulations. The three types of catalysts and many different flow schemes give great flexibility in providing a process which can meet a refiners need for producing octane-barrels and reducing benzene while fitting within capital and operating cost targets.

References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hunter, M.J. (2003), Light Naphtha Isomerisation to Meet 21st Century Gasoline Specifications, OIL GAS European Magazine, February Kuchar, P.J. and others (1993), Paraffin Isomerization Innovations, Fuels Processing Technology, 35, 183-200 J. Meister, T. Crowe, D. Banks, W. Keesom and M. Stine, Gasoline Production in the Post Energy Bill, Benzene Restricted World, 2005 NPRA Annual Meeting, AM-06-39. G. C. Anderson, R. R. Rosin, M. A. Stine, and M. J. Hunter, New Solutions for Light Paraffin Isomerization, 2004 NPRA Annual Meeting, AM-04-46. V. M. Godfrey, R. R. Rosin, J. G. Vassilakis, Advances in Light Naphtha Catalysts, Optimizing Precious Metal Investment, Hydrocarbon Engineering, March 2007. Richard R. Rosin, Chris J. Anderle, Gary C. Sturtevant, Optimizing Your Naphtha Complex in a Low Benzene World, 2007 NPRA Annual Meeting, AM-07-46.