Isomerisation

The isomerisation process takes naphtha, typically LSR (Light Straight Run) and improves the octane. The feed stream must be clean (ie. no excess metals, sulphur or nitrogen) and dry. This is because these contaminants will poison the catalyst. Some conditioning, in the form of chloride addition, is normally necessary.

There are several types of isomerisation process, for example Penex, TIP, Hysomer, HOT Penex. These are variations of the same reaction techniques, licensed by different companies.