Abstract: The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Abstract: Processes and systems for the production of heavy isoparaffinic hydrocarbons include feeding hydrogen and a mixed isoolefin stream, including C8-C12 olefins, isoolefins, and oligomers, and C8-C12+ hydrogenated hydrocarbons to a trickle-bed reactor system. The hydrogen and mixed isoolefin are reacted over a hydrogenation catalyst, producing a liquid effluent comprising hydrogenated hydrocarbons and unreacted olefins and oligomers, and a vapor effluent comprising hydrogenated hydrocarbons, hydrogen and unreacted olefins and oligomers. The liquid effluent is fed to a first heat exchanger, producing a cooled liquid effluent stream, which is combined with the vapor effluent, producing a mixed phase effluent. The mixed phase effluent is cooled in a second heat exchanger, producing a partially condensed effluent, which is fed to a drum, producing a vent stream, a hydrogenated product stream having greater than 95 wt % C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbons, and a hydrogenated recycle stream.

Abstract: A process and system for converting bio ethanol to high purity isobutene is provided. The system includes a dehydration unit configured to receive a bio ethanol containing stream, convert the bio ethanol to bio ethylene, and produce a bio ethylene containing stream, a dimerization unit configured to receive the bio ethylene stream, dimerize ethylene, and produce an n-butenes containing stream, a skeletal isomerization unit configured to receive the n-butenes containing stream, convert n-butenes to produce a skeletal isomerization stream comprising an isobutene, isobutane, n-butenes, and n-butane, and a catalytic separation unit configured to receive the skeletal isomerization stream, convert olefins and/or isoolefins contained therein to produce a converted skeletal isomerization reaction product, and to fractionate the skeletal isomerization reaction product and produce bio isobutene.

Abstract: The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Abstract: A process for supplying deaerated water to a chemical plant that includes a distillation column for separating a reaction effluent comprising water and a product. The process includes inventorying the distillation column with aerated water (water having an oxygen content of greater than 50 ppbw, such as greater than 1 ppmw). The aerated water in the distillation column may then be distilled to produce an oxygen-containing overheads and a bottoms fraction comprising deaerated water. The deaerated water in the bottoms fraction ma be transported to an upstream or a downstream unit operation, and utilizing the deaerated water in the upstream or downstream unit operation. The reaction effluent is fed to the distillation column, transitioning the distillation column from separating oxygen from water to operations for separating the product from the water.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl ethers including feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock and a first alcohol feedstock to a fixed bed reactor containing an etherification catalyst. The hydrocarbon feedstock and the first alcohol feedstock are contacted in the first fixed bed reactor to react the isoolefins with the alcohol in the presence of the etherification catalyst to produce a first product stream. The first product stream is fed together with a hydrogen feedstock and a second alcohol feedstock to a catalytic distillation reaction system containing a trifunctional catalyst to concurrently isomerize at least a portion of the alpha-olefins, hydrogenate at least a portion of the diolefins, and etherify at least a portion of the isoolefins and alcohol, producing a bottoms product comprising the one or more ethers and an overhead product comprising n-alkanes, isoalkanes, unreacted alpha-olefins, unreacted internal-olefins, unreacted isoolefins, and unreacted alcohol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the production of a high purity isoamylene product. The isoamylene in a mixed hydrocarbon stream may initially be converted to TAME via etherification, and a subsequent decomposition of the TAME may result in a high purity isoamylene stream with very low impurities that is suitable for a variety of petrochemical applications, such as for use in the production of fragrances, pesticides, peroxides, polymer antioxidants, UV stabilizers and hydrocarbon resins.

Abstract: Systems and processes disclosed may be used to produce a high purity isobutane stream and a high purity 1-butene stream from mixed C4 streams having disparate starting compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the production of a high purity isoamylene product. The isoamylene in a mixed hydrocarbon stream may initially be converted to TAME via etherification, and a subsequent decomposition of the TAME may result in a high purity isoamylene stream with very low impurities that is suitable for a variety of petrochemical applications, such as for use in the production of fragrances, pesticides, peroxides, polymer antioxidants, UV stabilizers and hydrocarbon resins.

Abstract: Systems and processes for the efficient conversion of high concentration isoolefin streams to tertiary alkyl ethers are disclosed. The systems and processes may include a feed system to advantageously divide the high concentration isoolefin feed to multiple fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor to control the reaction exotherm and achieve a high isoolefin conversion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the production of a high purity isoamylene product. The isoamylene in a mixed hydrocarbon stream may initially be converted to TAME via etherification, and a subsequent decomposition of the TAME may result in a high purity isoamylene stream with very low impurities that is suitable for a variety of petrochemical applications, such as for use in the production of fragrances, pesticides, peroxides, polymer antioxidants, UV stabilizers and hydrocarbon resins.

Abstract: A process for the selective dimerization and etherification of isoolefins. The process including feeding a mixed C5 stream to a selective hydrogenation unit to convert dienes to olefins and isoolefins, producing a hydrogenated effluent stream. The hydrogenated effluent stream is fed to a first fixed bed reactor, producing a first reactor effluent. The first reactor effluent is fed to a catalytic distillation reactor system, producing a first overheads including unreacted olefins, isoolefins, oxygenate, and one or more C5 ethers and a first bottoms including dimers of the isoolefins, any produced trimers of the isoolefins, and heavy oxygenates. The first overheads is fed to a second fixed bed reactor, producing a second reactor effluent including dimers of the isoolefins, unreacted C5s, and unreacted oxygenates.

Abstract: The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing high purity methanol and isobutene from crude MTBE feed using multiple divided wall columns are provided. The methods can include purifying the MTBE, dissociating the MTBE to produce isobutene and methanol, purifying the isobutene and recovering/purifying methanol.

Abstract: A process for supplying deaerated water to a chemical plant that includes a distillation column for separating a reaction effluent comprising water and a product. The process includes inventorying the distillation column with aerated water (water having an oxygen content of greater than 50 ppbw, such as greater than 1 ppmw). The aerated water in the distillation column may then be distilled to produce an oxygen-containing overheads and a bottoms fraction comprising deaerated water. The deaerated water in the bottoms fraction ma be transported to an upstream or a downstream unit operation, and utilizing the deaerated water in the upstream or downstream unit operation. The reaction effluent is fed to the distillation column, transitioning the distillation column from separating oxygen from water to operations for separating the product from the water.

Abstract: The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Abstract: A process for the selective dimerization and etherification of isoolefins, including feeding a mixed C4 stream and an oxygenate stream to a first fixed bed reactor containing a first catalyst, producing a first reactor effluent comprising dimers of the isoolefin, unreacted C4s, and unreacted oxygenates. Feeding the first reactor effluent directly to a second fixed bed reactor containing a second catalyst, producing a second reactor effluent containing dimers of the isoolefin, unreacted C4s, and unreacted oxygenates. Feeding the second reactor effluent to a catalytic distillation reactor system containing a third catalyst. Concurrently in the catalyst distillation reactor system reacting unreacted C4s in the presence of the third catalyst to form additional dimers of the isoolefin and/or ethers, and separating the dimers of the isoolefins from unreacted oxygenates and unreacted C4s.

Abstract: Systems and processes disclosed may be used to produce a high purity isobutane stream and a high purity 1-butene stream from mixed C4 streams having disparate starting compositions.