DuPont Clean Technologies (DuPont) has been awarded the contract to supply Orlen Lietuva with licensing, engineering, and technical services for a Stratco alkylation unit and a MECS spent acid regeneration (SAR) unit at the Mažeikiai refinery in Mažeikiai, Lithuania. The Mažeikiai refinery processes an average of 8 million tons of crude per year with capacity of up to 10 million tons of crude per year. In order to increase refinery complexity and flexibility of the Mažeikiai refinery, Orlen commissioned DuPont for a Stratco alkylation unit with 240,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) alkylate capacity. The alkylation unit will utilize LPG in the conversion to alkylate, and therefore upgrade refinery profitability. The 75 m.t./d MECS SAR unit, also under license from DuPont, will provide the refinery with a consistent supply of sulfuric acid, which is utilized as the catalyst for the alkylation unit, while ensuring compliance with the region’s stringent emission regulations.
The Stratco alkylation unit will enable Orlen to generate low-sulfur, high-octane, low-Rvp alkylate with zero olefins that meets the criteria of the EURO VI standard. Startup for both units is targeted for 2025.
“The addition of an alkylation unit will continue to increase the flexibility of operations and refining efficiency at the Mažeikiai Refinery. We are extremely excited to enter into this project with ORLEN, supporting them through their modernization efforts by enabling them to produce high quality alkylate for their gasoline pool. It will be our pleasure to assist ORLEN from design to startup of their unit and for years to follow,” said Kevin Bockwinkel, global business manager, Stratco Alkylation Technology.