Indigenise Management Solution to Pakistan Excess Naphtha

Pakistan is a gasoline deficit country where crude oil refineries contribute only 33.6% to national gasoline demand. Approximately one million metric tons of naphtha, a raw material for gasoline production, was exported in 2014-15 despite its potential for domestic utilization. Naphtha has an octane number of 67 (maximum) while gasoline for vehicles requires 87 (minimum). This paper proposes using n-methyl aniline (NMA), a non-metallic octane booster, at a minimum concentration of 1.5% to enhance in-house gasoline production by 95% and reduce naphtha exports while decreasing gasoline imports. The application of octane boosters in combination with existing organo-metallic additives can convert excess naphtha into usable gasoline without requiring expensive technology upgrades or new refinery installations.