Industrial Trials of a New-Generation Contactor for the Process of the Sulfuric-Acid Alkylation of Isobutane with Olefins

Abstract

The process of the sulfuric-acid alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins in a new-generation reaction apparatus, namely, the energy-efficient tubular contactor with diffuser–confuser design, which operates in the mode of jet agitation of raw material flows and a catalyst with the arrangement of internal cooling due to partial evaporation of isobutane, has made it possible to obtain high-octane hydrocarbon fractions with a content of 3-methylpentanes of up to 47 wt % and an octane number of up to 92. Energy efficiency has been achieved by eliminating the external cooling of the reaction mass, mechanical agitation, and additional pump-forced circulation equipment. The results of the industrial trials of the new contactor have been described.