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.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of molecules with seven carbons constituted by a chain of four carbons with three methyl branches, primarily triptane (2,2,3-trimethylbutane), by alcohol coupling reaction (Guerbet reaction), resulting in an alcohol with a four-carbon chain with three methyl branches, which is transformed into triptane. The importance of this method stems from the fact that triptane is the hydrocarbon with the greatest capacity to resist compression without ignition and can be used in unleaded aviation gasolines and in the formulation of high-octane automotive gasolines.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of molecules with seven carbons constituted by a chain of four carbons with three methyl branches, primarily triptane (2,2,3-trimethylbutane), by alcohol coupling reaction (Guerbet reaction), resulting in an alcohol with a four-carbon chain with three methyl branches, which is transformed into triptane. The importance of this method stems from the fact that triptane is the hydrocarbon with the greatest capacity to resist compression without ignition and can be used in unleaded aviation gasolines and in the formulation of high-octane automotive gasolines.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Systems and methods for producing an isomerization product. One or more isomerization reactors comprising a catalyst may be used to process an isomerization feedstock comprising a primary n-paraffin reactant and hydrogen gas, and the isomerization reactor may be operated at a pressure parameter at which the partial pressure of the primary n-paraffin is within about 70% to about 130% of its equilibrium vapor pressure to isomerize the primary n-paraffin reactant.

Systems and methods for producing an isomerization product. One or more isomerization reactors comprising a catalyst may be used to process an isomerization feedstock comprising a primary n-paraffin reactant and hydrogen gas, and the isomerization reactor may be operated at a pressure parameter at which the partial pressure of the primary n-paraffin is within about 70% to about 130% of its equilibrium vapor pressure to isomerize the primary n-paraffin reactant.

A process increases the concentration of normal paraffins in a feed stream comprising separating a naphtha feed stream into a normal paraffin rich stream and a non-normal paraffin rich stream. A naphtha feed stream may be separated into a normal paraffin stream and a non-normal paraffin stream. An isomerization feed stream is taken from the non-normal paraffin stream and isomerized over an isomerization catalyst to convert non-normal paraffins to normal paraffins and produce an isomerization effluent stream. The isomerization effluent stream may be separated into a propane stream and a C4+ hydrocarbon stream optionally in a single column. The C4+ hydrocarbon stream may be recycled to the step of separating a naphtha feed stream.

A process increases the concentration of normal paraffins in a feed stream comprising separating a naphtha feed stream into a normal paraffin rich stream and a non-normal paraffin rich stream. A naphtha feed stream may be separated into a normal paraffin stream and a non-normal paraffin stream. An isomerization feed stream is taken from the non-normal paraffin stream and isomerized over an isomerization catalyst to convert non-normal paraffins to normal paraffins and produce an isomerization effluent stream. The isomerization effluent stream may be separated into a propane stream and a C4+ hydrocarbon stream optionally in a single column. The C4+ hydrocarbon stream may be recycled to the step of separating a naphtha feed stream.