Technology

Ben Prime (Benzene Saturation)

Hydrogenate benzene out of the gasoline pool — saturation as high as 99.9%, with minimal impact on octane.

Tight benzene limits are not always solvable on site: geography or economics can rule out processing the benzene rich stream where it is produced. Ben Prime saturates the benzene instead — hydrogenating it in a compact liquid phase reactor so the gasoline pool meets regulatory requirements without the capital of a new C5-C6 isomerization unit.

99.9%benzene saturation achievable
>30%more throughput from a revamped reformate splitter
Minimalimpact on overall gasoline pool octane

Where Ben Prime applies

  • On the overhead of a naphtha splitter, as an alternative to a C5-C6 isomerization unit
  • Downstream of the reformate product, where benzene is formed in the CCR unit
  • Ahead of value added products with very low benzene specifications — food, pharma and polymer grade hexane

How Ben Prime works

Ben Prime uses dividing wall technology to concentrate benzene into the C6 cut ahead of the reactor, so the reactor and its surrounding equipment stay small. The benzene is then hydrogenated in the liquid phase over a highly active, highly selective catalyst, and the product is stabilized before it returns to the gasoline pool. Revamping an existing reformate splitter to DWC Prime lifts the throughput of the benzene saturation unit by more than 30%.

Ben Prime benzene saturation process diagram: reformate splitter as DWC Prime, saturation reactor and stabilizer feeding the gasoline pool
Ben Prime process scheme — the reformate splitter revamped to DWC Prime concentrates benzene into the C6 cut, which is saturated and stabilized before the low benzene product returns to the gasoline pool. Open the diagram for the full size version.

Why Ben Prime

Reliable chemistry

Benzene is removed by hydrogenation, a proven and predictable route, with saturation as high as 99.9%.

Smaller footprint

Dividing wall technology concentrates benzene into the C6 cut, so reactor and equipment sizes come down — and a revamped reformate splitter adds more than 30% throughput.

Long catalyst life

Simple equipment: a liquid phase reactor running on a highly active catalyst, followed by a stabilizer.

High selectivity

The catalyst targets benzene, so saturation is achieved with minimum impact on overall octane.

Flexible delivery

Feedstock flexibility across benzene rich streams, with modular construction options available.

Looking to lower benzene levels in your gasoline pool?

Connect with our engineering team to explore the benefits of Ben Prime for your unit.

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