Triple Diamond Energy Corp. is a proponent for new technologies that will make petroleum products better and less expensive for consumers. One budding technology is helping to make higher quality, higher octane gasoline more affordable for Americans.

A process known as alkylation is used for refining petroleum to create the premium gasoline-blending component commonly known as alkylate.  Alkylate is added to premium fuels to help reduce the knocking noises that often occur in engines.  These knocking noises often develop in vehicles that use low-grade gasoline and are usually heard when a vehicle is accelerated.

Gasoline with Alkylate Improves Auto Performance

The knocking noises can eventually lead to an overall power reduction and loss of fuel economy.  Many consumers think the best way to deal with this knocking is to get a tune up or other work done to the vehicle.  This can sometimes help for a while, but this is a reactive measure and not a preventative measure.  A way to avoid engine knocking is to use a higher octane of gasoline that contains alkylate.

Octane, or octane number, is the name usually used to measure the Antiknock Index of gasoline. The octane number is used to measure the gasoline’s ability to prevent engine knocking.  Since the higher octane gasses do more to help prevent engine knocking, or pre-ignition, they are usually priced higher. 

The Process of Alkylation

These higher prices are attributed to the more complicated refining process required to create it.  The process requires the use of liquid olefin and liquid isobutene that react together after being exposed to sulfuric or hydrofluoric acid.  This reaction creates the alkylate which is added to gasoline in order to create premium gasoline. The process of using liquid olefin and liquid isobutene to create this higher octane gasoline is pricey.  Transporting the acid necessary to create the proper reaction is extremely expensive. 

Reducing the Costs of Alkylation

VHP, Inc, an American Company, has recently developed a more efficient and less expensive way to create alkylate.  The method they have created involves using a device that was previously created to remove contaminants from water. Now this water purification device is being pushed forward for use as a new alkylation reactor. 

This reactor would be much less expensive to install and would not require as much acid for the reaction process necessary to create alkylate.  In addition to lowering over the overall costs of production, this new method would also be better for the environment.

Domestic refining and distribution companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corp. are eagerly awaiting the further development of this new technology.  Triple Diamond Energy Corp is hoping that this technology will help the consumer base by reducing the price of higher grades of gas.