Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydroisomerizing a mixed C4 olefin stream in a fixed bed hydroisomerization reactor in order to increase the concentration of 2-butene and minimize the concentration of 1-butene, while concurrently minimizing the production of butanes. In one embodiment, carbon monoxide is introduced into the double bond hydroisomerization reactor along with hydrogen. In another embodiment, hydrogen, and optionally also carbon monoxide, are introduced at multiple locations along the length of the double bond hydroisomerization reactor. The invention is particularly useful in preparing C4 feed streams for metathesis reactions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydroisomerizing a mixed C4 olefin stream in a catalytic distillation column in order to increase the concentration of 2-butene and minimize the concentration of 1-butene, while concurrently minimizing the production of butanes. In one embodiment, carbon monoxide is introduced into the double bond hydroisomerization reactor along with hydrogen. In another embodiment, hydrogen, and optionally also carbon monoxide, is introduced at multiple locations along the double bond hydroisomerization reactor. The invention is particularly useful in preparing C4 feed streams for metathesis reactions.

Abstract: A structured packing (which may or may not include a catalyst) formed from a mesh material having pore openings of less than 50 microns wherein the packing is provided with turbulence generators to promote flow of fluid through the pore openings and may be further provided with additional openings larger than the pores to improve bulk mixing.