Sulfolane purification by hydrocarbon extraction

摘要

The present invention provides a method for separating conjunct polymers which are formed as byproducts of acid catalyzed isoparaffin-olefin alkylation and sulfolane from a mixture containing conjunct polymers, sulfolane, and hydrofluoric acid comprising the sequential steps of: (a) separating hydrofluoric acid from a mixture containing conjunct polymers, sulfolane, and hydrofluoric acid to provide a first intermediate stream containing less than about 30 percent hydrofluoric acid by weight; (b) mixing said intermediate stream with a nonpolar extraction solvent to provide a second intermediate stream; and (c) gravitationally separating said intermediate stream into a less dense extract stream enriched in conjunct polymers and a more dense liquid stream enriched in sulfolane.