Abstract: The invention relates to a process for alkylating a hydrcarbon feed which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon feed to be alkylated with an alkylation agent in the presence of a catalyst comprising a solid acid, a hydrogenation component consisting essentially of one or more Group VIII noble metals, and at least about 0.05 wt % of sulfur, based on the total weight of the catalyst composition. The invention further pertains to a catalyst suitable for said process and to a process for the preparation of said catalyst. The use of said catalyst results in a high conversion of the alkylation agent, a high C5+ alkylate yield, and a good stability, while the selectivity has improved over the use of a comparable catalyst without sulfur.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for alkylating hydrocarbons in which an alkylatable organic compound is reacted with an alkylation agent to form an alkylate in the presence of a catalyst comprising a hydrogenating function and a solid acid constituent, with the catalyst being subjected intermittently to a regeneration step by being contacted with a feed containing a saturated hydrocarbon and hydrogen, said regeneration being carried out at 90% or less of the active cycle of the catalyst, with the active cycle of the catalyst being defined as the time from the start of the feeding of the alkylation agent to the moment when 20% of the alkylation agent leaves the catalyst-containing reactor section without being converted, not counting isomerization inside the molecule. The process according to the invention is especially attractive for the alkylation of isobutane with one or more butenes to form an alkylate with a high RON.