CVR Energy advances alkylation unit revamp at Wynnewood refinery

CVR Energy Inc. has let a contract to KBR Inc. to provide a suite of additional services for the second phase of a previously proposed project to convert process technology of an existing hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation unit at subsidiary Wynnewood Refining Co. LLC’s (WRC) 74,500-b/d refinery in Wynnewood, Okla. (OGJ Online, Jan. 24, 2019).

Following CVR Energy’s 2019 contract award to KBR to provide basic engineering and design services for the HF alkylation unit conversion based on the service provider’s proprietary Solid Acid Alkylation Technology (K-SAAT), KBR second-phase scope of work on the project will include delivery of detailed engineering of process equipment, as well as proprietary equipment supply and module fabrication, KBR said on Feb. 4.

Unlike traditional liquid-acid catalysts used in the HF alkylation process, K-SAAT technology uses the ExSact solid-acid catalyst, which is engineered to maximize yield and quality of ultraclean alkylate blendstock for gasoline.

Subject to regulatory and internal approvals, the Wynnewood HF alkylation revamp would reach mechanical completion in late 2024, according to the service provider.

While the Wynnewood unit will be the first US installation of K-SAAT technology, KBR said its first commercial K-SAAT plant has been operating in China since 2018.

Project background

Alongside eliminating use of HF acid catalyst in the alkylation unit, CVR Energy told investors in March 2020 that it expects Wynnewood’s HF mitigation project also will increase the refinery’s liquid yield, as well as its production of premium gasoline.

According to its most recent update on the project, CVR Energy estimated overall capital investment in the Wynnewood HF mitigation and yield-enhancement project at about $90 million. The operator also said there is potential to implement a similarly designed project at subsidiary Coffeyville Resources Refining & Marketing LLC’s 132,000-b/d refinery in Coffeyville, Kan.

CVR Energy is currently at work on a $110-million project that will allow WRC to produce about 100 million gal/year of low-carbon renewable diesel and 6 million gal/year of renewable naphtha at the Wynnewood refinery beginning in July 2021 (OGJ Online, Jan. 27, 2021).