Catalytic activation and alkylation of isopentane-enriched mixtures

• Main Authors: McDaniel, Neal D, Suttil, James A, Baldridge, Anthony O, Randolph, Bruce B, Lusk, Steven E, Walston, Robert M, Yao, Jianhua, Sardashti, Maziar, Kundu, Soumen
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.10.2020
• Subjects: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; CHEMISTRY; CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; METALLURGY; MINERAL WAXES; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PEAT; PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVEHYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, ORGASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE

The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that comprises both isopentane and n-pentane, and optionally, some C6+ hydrocarbons. Isopentane and smaller hydrocarbons are separated to form a first fraction while n-pentane and larger components of the feed stock form a second fraction. Each fraction is then catalytically-activated in a separate reaction zone with a separate catalyst, where the conditions maintained in each zone maximize the conversion of each fraction to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. In certain embodiments, the first fraction is activated at a lower temperature than the second fraction. Certain embodiments additionally comprise mixing at least a portion of the two effluents and contacting with an alkylation catalyst to provide enhanced yields of mono-alkylated aromatics that are suitable for use as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels or other value-added chemical products.