Sinopec Successfully Started-up the Largest Composite Ionic Liquid Alkylation Unit

Calgary, AB, March 31, 2019 – Well Resources announced the successful start-up of a brownfield Ionikylation unit in Sinopec’s Jiujiang refinery. The unit, capable of producing 300,000 tonnes-per-year of high-quality alkylate, is the largest commercial adoption of the Ionikylation technology to date. Sinopec is on track to finalize the construction of two additional Ionikylation units of the same capacity at its Anqing and Wuhan refineries later this year.

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The construction of the Ionikylation unit at Sinopec Jiujiang refinery started in February 2018 and completed in December 2018. Unit start-up preparation began in mid-March 2019. On March 31, 2019, the catalyst and feed were introduced into the Ionikylation reactor and subsequently, Sinopec reported that the first batch of high-quality alkylate was successfully produced.

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Ionikylation is a commercially proven and environmentally friendly alkylation process that uses a proprietary composite ionic liquid as the catalyst. Unlike traditional alkylation processes that use dangerous and hazardous hydrofluoric or sulfuric acid as the catalyst, the Ionikylation catalyst is non-corrosive and safe to handle. Ionikylation process equipment is manufactured using carbon steel. Ionikylation is a cost-effective option for refiners that are looking to improve the safety of their operations without sacrificing product quality.

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Interested to learn more? Contact us at info@wellresources.ca.