The present invention relates to an oligomerization process implemented in a sequence of at least two gas/liquid reactors, placed in series, comprising at least one gas headspace recycle loop. The process more particularly relates to the oligomerization of ethylene to linear alpha-olefins such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene or a mixture of linear alpha-olefins.

The present invention proposes a plant (110) for producing reaction products. The plant (110) comprises at least a preheater (114). The plant (110) comprises at least one raw material supply (118) which is adapted for supplying at least one raw material to the preheater (114). The preheater (114) is adapted for preheating the raw material to a predetermined temperature. The plant (110) comprises at least one electrically heatable reactor (122). The electrically heatable reactor (122) is adapted for at least partially converting the preheated raw material into reaction products and byproducts. The plant (110) comprises at least one heat integration apparatus (132) which is adapted for at least partially supplying the byproducts to the preheater (114). The preheater (114) is adapted for at least partially utilizing energy required for preheating the raw material from the byproducts.

This disclosure relates to SA alkylation reactor systems. The reactor system involves a closed reactor vessel comprising a shell, a vapor outlet, and an emulsion outlet. The reactor system also involves a distributor located at the lower portion of the reactor vessel, a mixer fluidly connected with the distributor, and an emulsion pump fluidly connected with the mixer and the emulsion outlet, wherein the emulsion pump is located outside the reactor vessel. This disclosure also relates to a split SA alkylation reactor system wherein a single horizontal reactor vessel is divided to accommodate two reactor systems. This disclosure also relates to alkylation processes using the reactor systems. This disclosure also relates to methods of converting an HF alkylation unit to a SA alkylation unit. This disclosure also relates to converted SA alkylation units and alkylation processes performed in the converted SA alkylation units.

This disclosure relates to methods of converting an HF alkylation unit which utilizes HF as a reaction catalyst to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit which utilizes sulfuric acid as a reaction catalyst. This disclosure also relates to a segmented sulfuric acid settler for separating a sulfuric acid phase from a hydrocarbon phase. This disclosure also relates to methods of converting a vertical HF acid settler to a segmented sulfuric acid settler. This disclosure also relates to converted sulfuric acid alkylation units and alkylation processes performed in the converted sulfuric acid alkylation units.

A process includes periodically or continuously introducing an olefin monomer and periodically or continuously introducing a catalyst system or catalyst system components into a reaction mixture within a reaction system, oligomerizing the olefin monomer within the reaction mixture to form an oligomer product, and periodically or continuously discharging a reaction system effluent comprising the oligomer product from the reaction system. The reaction system includes a total reaction mixture volume and a heat exchanged portion of the reaction system comprising a heat exchanged reaction mixture volume and a total heat exchanged surface area providing indirect contact between the reaction mixture and a heat exchange medium. A ratio of the total heat exchanged surface area to the total reaction mixture volume within the reaction system is in a range from 0.75 in.sup.−1 to 5 in.sup.−1, and an oligomer product discharge rate from the reaction system is between 1.0 (lb)(hr.sup.−1)(gal.sup.−1) to 6.0 (lb)(hr.sup.−1)(gal.sup.−1).

This disclosure relates to SA alkylation reactor systems. The reactor system involves a closed reactor vessel comprising a shell, a vapor outlet, and an emulsion outlet. The reactor system also involves a distributor located at the lower portion of the reactor vessel, a mixer fluidly connected with the distributor, and an emulsion pump fluidly connected with the mixer and the emulsion outlet, wherein the emulsion pump is located outside the reactor vessel. This disclosure also relates to a split SA alkylation reactor system wherein a single horizontal reactor vessel is divided to accommodate two reactor systems. This disclosure also relates to alkylation processes using the reactor systems. This disclosure also relates to methods of converting an HF alkylation unit to a SA alkylation unit. This disclosure also relates to converted SA alkylation units and alkylation processes performed in the converted SA alkylation units.

A system and method is provided for upgrading a continuously flowing process stream including heavy crude oil (HCO). A reactor receives the process stream in combination with water, at an inlet temperature within a range of about 60 C. to about 200 C. The reactor includes one or more process flow tubes having a combined length of about 30 times their aggregated transverse cross-sectional dimension, and progressively heats the process stream to an outlet temperature T(max)1 within a range of between about 260 C. to about 400 C. The reactor maintains the process stream at a pressure sufficient to ensure that it remains a single phase at T(max)1. A controller selectively adjusts the rate of flow of the process stream through the reactor to maintain a total residence time of greater than about 1 minute and less than about 25 minutes.

Processes for controlling the rate and temperature of cooling fluid through a heat exchange zone in, for example, an alkylation reactor using an ionic liquid catalyst. A cooling fluid system may be used to provide the cooling fluid which includes a chiller and a reservoir. The cooling fluid may pass from the reservoir through the heat exchange zone. A bypass line may be used to pass a portion of the cooling fluid around the heat exchange zone. The amount of cooling fluid may be adjusted, with a valve, based upon the temperature of the cooled process fluid flowing out of the heat exchange zone. Some of the cooling fluid from the chiller may be circulated back to the chiller in a chiller loop.

This disclosure relates to methods of converting an HF alkylation unit which utilizes HF as a reaction catalyst to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit which utilizes sulfuric acid as a reaction catalyst. This disclosure also relates to a segmented sulfuric acid settler for separating a sulfuric acid phase from a hydrocarbon phase. This disclosure also relates to methods of converting a vertical HF acid settler to a segmented sulfuric acid settler. This disclosure also relates to converted sulfuric acid alkylation units and alkylation processes performed in the converted sulfuric acid alkylation units.

The invention provides a method and system for extracting stranded gas (such as natural gas or hydrogen) or a mixture of oil and natural gas from a subterranean environment such as beneath the ocean floor and converting it into a solid hydrate such as a clathrate featuring a) extracting stranded gas (such as natural gas or hydrogen) or a mixture of oil and natural gas; b) optionally separating the natural gas from the mixture of oil and natural gas in a first tank or vessel; c) transporting the stranded gas to a second tank or vessel; d) introducing sea water into the second tank or vessel; e) mixing the stranded gas and water to form a clathrate hydrate/water slurry; f) removing excess water from the clathrate hydrate slurry to form a solid comprising a clathrate hydrate; and g) processing the solid comprising a clathrate hydrate into a transportable form; and h) optionally collecting the gas into a transportable vessel.