Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Alkylation (al-kuh-ley-shun) is a secondary refinery unit operation that many refineries in the United States have because it adds high octane hydrocarbons to motor and aviation gasoline.

What are the benefits of having an alkylation unit in the refinery?

In refining, the alkylation unit produces a high-quality gasoline blendstock by combining two LPG-range molecules to form one gasoline-range molecule.

What is alkylation in chemistry?

Alkylation is a chemical process by which an alkyl group is attached to an organic substrate molecule via addition or substitution. An alkyl group is an alkane molecule that is missing a hydrogen atom. ... Alkyl groups may bond to a number of atoms including carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms in substrate molecules.