Reducing acid consumption: Maximizing sulfuric acid alkylation unit profitability

J. Randall Peterson is the Alkylation Technology Manager for the STRATCO® alkylation technology at DuPont Clean Technologies. His primary focus is continuous improvement of the STRATCO® alkylation process, and he assists with troubleshooting, startup assistance, plant optimization and operator training. Prior to his employment at STRATCO Inc. in 1989, Mr. Peterson spent 3 yr at Conoco working in FCC, catalytic reforming and HF alkylation. Mr. Peterson earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas and an MBA degree from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri.

Diwakar Rana is the Technology Development Manager at DuPont Clean Technologies for the STRATCO® alkylation business. He has three patents pending within the sulfuric acid alkylation area. Dr. Rana has more than 16 yr of experience in the refining and biofuels industry and has been a licensed professional engineer for the State of Texas since 2009. He earned a BE degree in chemical engineering from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, India, along with an ME degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a PhD in chemical engineering from Washington State University.

Rob Ewing is the Innovations and Technology Manager with DuPont Clean Technologies for the alkylation and hydroprocessing businesses. He has more than 23 yr of experience in the refining and petrochemical industries. Mr. Ewing earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from Kansas State University.