(137d) Breaking the Low Temperature Barrier for Sulfuric Acid Catalyzed Gasoline Alkylation

Sulfuric-acid catalyzed alkylation, for the production of alkylate from C4 olefins and isobutane, requires substantial interfacial contact, upon which beneficial reactions can take place. Although it is well known that lower temperature benefits the desired alkylate selectivity, obtaining effective heat and mass transfer, for reaction and subsequent product extraction, becomes particularly onerous, as the sulfuric acid catalyst becomes cooler and more viscous. To solve this issue, CDTech has been utilizing a vapor induced pulse-flow reactor, to provide these high rates of heat and mass transfer. New mass transfer information will be presented on three phase down-flow (Vapor/Liquid/Liquid) systems, providing a glimpse at the benefits, which may be harnessed for the purposes of reactive-extraction using this system. The benefits of converting a traditional alkylation contactor into a pulse-flow reactor, running under low temperature conditions for the purposes of alkylating an FCC C4 feedstock, will also be presented.