Method and device for the production of alkylates

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for the production of alkylate(s) by sulfuric acid alkylation of at least one isoparaffin such as isobutane with at least one olefin, such as butylenes. The device includes a mixing chamber for preparing a mixture of the isoparaffin with recycled reaction products. It also includes an emulsion chamber for preparing a first hydrocarbons-in-sulfuric acid emulsion, where the mixture prepared in the mixing chamber is injected in multiple parallel jets into a sulfuric acid composition. The device further includes a pre-reaction chamber for preparing a second emulsion, where a given portion of the olefin is injected in jet streams into the first hydrocarbons-in-sulfuric acid emulsion coming from the emulsion chamber. Last of all, the device includes a reaction chamber of given height and cross-section where the second emulsion coming from the pre-reaction chamber is injected through nozzles and another portion of olefin is injected in jet streams all over the cross-section and height of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is devised so that the second emulsion is circulated in a closed circuit and it has an outlet through which a balanced amount of reaction mixture is continuously discharged. All of said mixing chamber, emulsion chamber, pre-reaction chamber and reaction chamber are coaxially arranged one above the other in vertical position and altogether form a reactor with the prechamber being located at the bottom of the reactor and the reaction chamber on top thereof. A method for the production of alkylates by means of the above device is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 297,205, filed Dec. 4, 2002, which is based upon PCT National Stage Application No. PCT / IB01 / 00962 filed Jun. 1, 2001, and claims the benefit of priority from prior Canadian Patent Application Nos. 2,310,858, filed Jun. 6, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.INVENTION BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a method for the production of alkylates by sulfuric acid alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins. This method is particularly well adapted for use in the petroleum refining industry, using isobutane, as isoparaffin, and butylenes as olefin.[0004]The invention also relates to a device for mixing and reacting at least two and preferably three liquid components. This device is particularly well adapted for carrying out the above method even though it can be used for carrying out many other me...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for the production of alkylates by sulfuric acid alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins that has the advantages of reducing power consumption, sulfuric acid consumption, and improving alkylate quality. The method involves preparing a mixture of the isoparaffin and olefin by cooling down the isoparaffin, injecting the mixture into a hydrocarbons-in-sulfuric acid emulsion, and circulating the emulsion in a closed circuit. The method also includes steps of injecting the olefin into the emulsion and the reaction mixture in jet streams, and processing the reaction mixture through a hydrocyclone. The invention also provides a device for carrying out the method. The technical effects of the invention include reducing production costs, improving safety, and reducing environmental impact.

Problems solved by technology

The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,652 is efficient but it requires a substantial amount of power for circulating the acid due to the very high acid-to-hydrocarbons ratio.

It also requires a settling equipment of a very large size.

Moreover, the method disclosed in this patent cannot guarantee a low consumption of sulfuric acid and a reasonably high quality of the final product.

However, in practice, an isobutane-to-olefin ratio of 3,000-5,000:1 can be obtained in the reaction area only with very high power consumption.

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