Process for converting oxygenates to alkylated liquid hydrocarbons

摘要

Alkylate is produced by catalytically converting oxygenate feedstock, such as methanol, to lower olefins comprising C2-C4 olefins. Ethene is separated by interstage sorption of C3+ components and an isoparaffin is alkylated with C3-C4 olefins derived from sorbate. The improved technique comprises fractionating an olefinic feedstream containing ethene and C3+ olefinic components by contacting the olefinic feedstream in a sorption zone with a liquid hydrocarbon sorbent to selectively sorb C3+ components; reacting C3+ olefins with excess isoparaffin in a catalytic alkylation reactor to produce C7+ alkylate hydrocarbons; fractionating the alkylation reactor effluent to provide a liquid hydrocarbon fraction rich in C7+, alkylate for recycle to the sorption zone as lean sorbent; and recovering C7+ alkylate product and C5+ gasoline from the process.