HF Alkylation of isoparaffin with olefin heavier than ethylene with ethyl fluoride as reaction improver

Abstract

Abstract Ethyl fluoride present in the system HF catalyst improves the reaction permitting advantageous alkylation of isoparaffin with olefin higher than ethylene. The ethyl fluoride is either generated in situ, as by introducing ethylene into the alkylation zone, or added as such at a convenient place, the improver or modifier being present in amounts, say, in the general range of from about 0.5 to about 30, preferably about 5 to about 30 percent weight based on the total HF catalyst containing the same; the ethyl fluoride will yield the same octane values at considerably lower than conventional isoparaffin to olefin ratios or at such conventional ratios will increase the octane number or value of the product. Yields of desirable alkylate are improved. Thus, at comparable ratios of reactants, the yield obtained of high octane alkylate, which has an octane considerably better than that obtained without the ethyl fluoride, e.g. an increase of about three numbers, Research clear, is increased, e.g. 98 percent as compared with about 80 percent, the ratio of reactants isobutane and propylene for the specific values here given having been 11.6:1 with the ethyl fluoride and 9.8:1 without this modifier. With same reactants at a ratio of 11.6:1, octane was substantially the same as with ethyl fluoride in the system catalyst, added thereto, as it was at 34:1 without ethyl fluoride, e.g. it was 93.4 RON clear with ethyl fluoride and 92.6 RON clear without ethyl fluoride. Moreover, with ethyl fluoride at the lower ratio the yield of motor alkylate was higher than with the much higher ratio, i.e. 98 percent at 11.6:1 with the ethyl fluoride and only 93.5 at 34:1 without ethyl fluoride. When ethyl fluoride is generated in the system, ethylene can be added as required to produce and to maintain the desired production of ethyl fluoride in the catalyst. Water is now maintained below about 3 weight percent of the catalyst phase, although higher amounts can be present. Similar results, yields and alkylate qualities are obtained with mixtures of iosparaffin, e.g. isobutane and/or isopentane with an olefin, e.g. propylene and/or butylenes, and/or amylenes.

Inventors

• 👤 Jr Thomas Hutson
• 👤 Cecil O Carter

Bibliographic Details