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Isomerization

No matter what your isomerization technology needs, UOP can provide you with the right solution. UOP offers a full range of technology and processing configuration options. To optimize your operations, you simply need to match the technology and processing configuration that’s right for your refinery.


Isomerization technologies can be used across a wide spectrum of refining applications. One of today’s most widely used applications is the isomerization of light normal paraffins to branched paraffins. Low octane light straight-run naphtha, comprised of a mixture of pentanes and hexanes, is isomerized to produce a flexible, high octane, blending component that is free of sulfur and aromatics. The isomerization of light naphtha produces an excellent high octane gasoline blending component which is low in sulfur, benzene, and olefins. Another popular application is the isomerization of normal butanes to iso-butane for feed to alkylation process units.

UOP has decades of global experience in isomerization technologies. Our first commercial Butamer process unit, for the isomerization of n-butane to iso-butane, went on stream in 1959. The first commercial Penex process unit, for the isomerization of light straight-run naphtha, went on stream in 1969. Since the start-up of our initial Butamer unit, more than 235 units have been placed on stream using UOP isomerization technology at refineries around the world.

For more detailed information on Isomerization, click on the following links:
C4 Isomerization Processes
C5 and C6 Isomerization Processes
Isomerization Catalysts and Adsorbents
Isomerization Equipment

To learn more of what’s new at UOP, click on the following link:
Refining Newsletter