A dividing wall column is used in an alkylation process flow scheme to fractionate an alkylate reactor effluent to produce an iso-butane-rich stream as a recycle feed for the alkylation reactor while also separating iso-butane, normal butane and alkylate as separate product streams depending on the reactor effluent composition. In an optional embodiment, the scheme may contain propane.

A dividing wall column is used in an alkylation process flow scheme to fractionate an alkylate reactor effluent to produce an iso-butane-rich stream as a recycle feed for the alkylation reactor while also separating iso-butane, normal butane and alkylate as separate product streams depending on the reactor effluent composition. In an optional embodiment, the scheme may contain propane.

An alkylation catalyst composition is provided which comprises an acid, an aromatic, and a third component selected from the group consisting of a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid; and an ionic liquid. An alkylation process is also provided which comprises combining the alkylation catalyst composition with a feedstock under conditions to produce an alkylate product for a motor fuel additive. The alkylate product produced by the alkylation process is also provided.

An alkylation catalyst composition is provided which comprises an acid, an aromatic, and a third component selected from the group consisting of a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid; and an ionic liquid. An alkylation process is also provided which comprises combining the alkylation catalyst composition with a feedstock under conditions to produce an alkylate product for a motor fuel additive. The alkylate product produced by the alkylation process is also provided.

An alkylation catalyst composition is provided which comprises an acid, an aromatic, and a third component selected from the group consisting of a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid; and an ionic liquid. An alkylation process is also provided which comprises combining the alkylation catalyst composition with a feedstock under conditions to produce an alkylate product for a motor fuel additive. The alkylate product produced by the alkylation process is also provided.

Systems and processes for the flexible production of gasoline and jet fuel via alkylation of C4 and C5 olefins.

Systems and processes for the flexible production of gasoline and jet fuel via alkylation of C4 and C5 olefins.

Systems and processes for the flexible production of gasoline and jet fuel via alkylation of C4 and C5 olefins.

Systems and processes for the flexible production of gasoline and jet fuel via alkylation of C4 and C5 olefins.

A process for sulfuric acid catalyzed alkylation involving the use of surfactants which form bi-continuous micro-emulsions with the sulfuric acid and the hydrocarbon is described. The bi-continuous phase facilitates and improves the sulfuric acid catalyzed alkylation reactions. The concentration of the surfactant is selected based on the type of olefin feed. Easy to alkylate feeds, such as 2-butene, use lower concentrations of surfactant, while feeds which are harder to alkylate, such as propene or isobutene, use higher concentrations of the surfactant. In addition, increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid when a surfactant is included resulted in higher calculated RON. The use of a surfactant and a high concentration of sulfuric acid can provide a calculated RON over 100 and close to theoretical yields.