PROCESS FOR THE ALKYLATION OF OLEFINS AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THIS PROCESS AND OTHERS

摘要

Disclosed is a process of the alkylation of an olefin with an isoparaffin using sulphuric acid as a catalyst. In this process, a finely-dispersed emulsion of isoparaffin and sulphuric acid is prepared first, in a separate emulsion preparation zone. This preparation is carried out by injecting the isoparaffin into the acid through a set of nozzles, thereby allowing the isoparaffin to "scavenge" at high speed through the acid and thus to form an extremely homogeneous emulsion. This makes it possible to achieve proper mixing without need of impellers or other similar mixing devices that usually call for substantially maintenance and operating costs. Then, the emulsion that was so prepared and which forms an already "finished" phase per se, is fed into a reaction zone which is separated from the emulsion preparation zone and in which the olefin is injected preferably at a plurality of points and in directions perpendicular to the emulsion flow. Advantageously, such as injection can be controlled so that the volume ratio of sulphuric acid to hydrocarbons present within the reaction zone is as low as from 0.3 to 0.5:1. This process allows reduction in the rate of expenditure of the raw materials, especially sulphuric acid, through the way and ratios at which the materials are mixed, and through the use of a proximate analysis of the alkylation reaction process; it also improves the target product quality. An optimized, small-size, high-capacity and ecologically-clean apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed.