Processes for producing a linear internal olefin product include the steps of contacting an olefin feed containing C.sub.10-C.sub.20 vinylidenes and a C.sub.10-C.sub.20 normal alpha olefin and/or C.sub.10-C.sub.20 linear internal olefins, a first acid catalyst, and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 carboxylic acid to form a first reaction product containing linear internal olefins, trisubstituted olefins, and secondary esters, then removing all or a portion of the secondary esters from the first reaction product, followed by contacting the secondary esters and a second acid catalyst to form a second reaction product comprising linear internal olefins, and then removing all or a portion of the linear internal olefins from the second reaction product to form the linear internal olefin product. Linear alkanes subsequently can be produced by hydrogenating the linear internal olefin product to form a linear alkane product.

The present invention relates to a method for carrying out a catalysed chemical reaction using one or more liquid reactants, preferably acetone and phenol, in an upflow reactor comprising feeding at least a portion of said reactants to a bottom section of the reactor positioned below a flow distributor plate, passing said portion through the flow distributor plate, passing said portion through a layer of inert particles positioned above and preferably in contact with said flow distributor plate, passing said portion through a catalyst layer comprising a particulate catalyst, said catalyst layer being positioned above and in contact with said layer of inert particles, wherein the reactants react to form a product stream, collecting said product stream via collecting means positioned above said catalyst layer. The invention also relates to a reactor assembly.

The present invention relates to a method for carrying out a catalysed chemical reaction using one or more liquid reactants, preferably acetone and phenol, in an upflow reactor comprising feeding at least a portion of said reactants to a bottom section of the reactor positioned below a flow distributor plate, passing said portion through the flow distributor plate, passing said portion through a layer of inert particles positioned above and preferably in contact with said flow distributor plate, passing said portion through a catalyst layer comprising a particulate catalyst, said catalyst layer being positioned above and in contact with said layer of inert particles, wherein the reactants react to form a product stream, collecting said product stream via collecting means positioned above said catalyst layer. The invention also relates to a reactor assembly.

Provided is a catalyst composition comprising (a) a collection of resin beads having sulfonic acid functional groups, (b) a promoter having a thiol group and an amine group, and (c) an antioxidant having the structure (I)

##STR00001## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group wherein n is 0 to 10, with the proviso that when R.sup.3 contains one or more nitrogen atoms, n is not 1 or 2.

Provided is a catalyst composition comprising (a) a collection of resin beads having sulfonic acid functional groups, (b) a promoter having a thiol group and an amine group, and (c) an antioxidant having the structure (I)

##STR00001## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group wherein n is 0 to 10, with the proviso that when R.sup.3 contains one or more nitrogen atoms, n is not 1 or 2.

Provided is a method of cleaning a collection of resin beads, wherein the method comprises bringing the collection of resin beads into contact with an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises one or more dissolved amine compounds, wherein the collection of resin beads comprises polymer that comprises attached carboxylic acid groups or sulfonic acid groups or a mixture thereof.

Provided is a method of cleaning a collection of resin beads, wherein the method comprises bringing the collection of resin beads into contact with an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises one or more dissolved amine compounds, wherein the collection of resin beads comprises polymer that comprises attached carboxylic acid groups or sulfonic acid groups or a mixture thereof.

A process for the production of diisopropyl ether from high purity propylene without the need of a propane-propylene fractionation column has been developed. The process involves (1) reacting a high purity propylene feedstock and water to produce isopropyl alcohol in a reactor and reacting the isopropyl alcohol with propylene to produce diisopropyl ether in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst and a propane diluent to generate a reactor effluent stream containing at least water, isopropyl alcohol, diisopropyl ether, propylene, and acid, (2) passing the reactor effluent to an acid removal zone to produce an acid-depleted stream, (3) dividing the acid-depleted stream into two portions, (4) recycling a portion to the reactor (5) allowing propane to build-up to an amount sufficient to operate as a diluent and (6) recovering product diisopropyl alcohol.

A process for the production of diisopropyl ether from high purity propylene without the need of a propane-propylene fractionation column has been developed. The process involves (1) reacting a high purity propylene feedstock and water to produce isopropyl alcohol in a reactor and reacting the isopropyl alcohol with propylene to produce diisopropyl ether in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst and a C.sub.4 diluent to generate a reactor effluent stream containing at least water, isopropyl alcohol, diisopropyl ether, propylene, and acid, (2) passing the reactor effluent to an acid removal zone to produce an acid-depleted stream, (3) dividing the acid-depleted stream into two portions, (4) recycling a portion to the reactor (5) purging a portion to prevent propane build-up and (6) recovering product diisopropyl alcohol.

A process for the production of diisopropyl ether from high purity propylene without the need of a propane-propylene fractionation column has been developed. The process involves (1) reacting a high purity propylene feedstock and water to produce isopropyl alcohol in a reactor and reacting the isopropyl alcohol with propylene to produce diisopropyl ether in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst and a C.sub.4 diluent to generate a reactor effluent stream containing at least water, isopropyl alcohol, diisopropyl ether, propylene, and acid, (2) passing the reactor effluent to an acid removal zone to produce an acid-depleted stream, (3) dividing the acid-depleted stream into two portions, (4) recycling a portion to the reactor (5) purging a portion to prevent propane build-up and (6) recovering product diisopropyl alcohol.