Abstract: An isoparaffin-olefin alkylation process is disclosed which improves alkylate quality by segregating the olefin feed into intermediate feedstreams which are enriched in propene, 1-butene, and/or 2-butenes with respect to the olefin feed, and alkylating these intermediate feedstreams in separate reaction zones at reaction temperatures specific to the olefin feed to increase the ratio of trimethylpentanes to dimethylhexanes in the resulting alkylate product.

Abstract: An improved process for alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins to yield a product which includes a high proportion of highly branched paraffins for making gasoline having improved octane is taught. The improved process comprises isomerizing the olefins and then contacting effluent and isoparaffins with a composite catalyst comprising a Lewis acid and a large pore zeolite and/or a non-zeolitic inorganic oxide. The beneficial effects of low temperature operation and the use of water in the process are also noted. The process results in reduced catalyst aging and obviates environmental problems associated with prior art processes.