A novel process for solid acid catalyzed isobutane/butene alkylation

The catalytic chemistry of a new process for alkylation of iso-butane with n-butene with zeolite based solid acid catalysts is described. The Bronsted acid site concentration in the zeolite catalysts is high, while the Lewis acid site concentration is low. The catalysts show high stability against deactivation by coking. In order to retard coking further and to extend the catalyst lifetime, operation conditions are adjusted in a way to periodically after the feed concentration and add hydrogen to the reactant mixture. The process uses a tray distillation column with the catalysts cycling between the reactor and a regeneration unit. Thorough backmixing of reactants at each tray and a staged introduction of butene is realized with this design.