Patent GB-858073-A (GB)
Title: Radioalkylation of normal paraffins
IPC: C07C2/60
Filed: 1958-04-11
Abstract: Normal paraffins together with mono-olefins are irradiated in the liquid phase with high energy ionising radiation in the presence of a Friedel-Craft type catalyst, e.g. aluminium chloride until 10-6-103KWH of energy/lb. of hydrocarbons has been absorbed, whereby alkylation, isomerisation and other reactions are effected.  The preferred paraffins are those containing 4-12 carbon atoms, field butanes, n-butanes from catalytic cracking, paraffins remaining after removal of olefins from refinery C4 cuts, waste paraffins from thermal or catalytic alkylation processes, light virgin naphthas and straight run naphthas, being specified.  The preferred olefins are those having 3-12 carbon atoms, propene, butenes, pentenes, hexenes, heptenes cyclic olefins and mixtures, e.g. olefin concentrates from catalytic and thermal cracking and coking, being specified. Preferably the molar ratio of paraffin to olefin is between 3 : 1 and 100 : 1.  The products are normally liquid, saturated, branched chain hydrocarbons boiling between 85 DEG  and 440 DEG  F. in the example a mixture of n-butane and propylene yielded predominantly isobutane and C9 paraffins or naphthenes together with numerous specified fractions of intermediate molecular weight.  The catalyst, which may comprise 10%-250% by wt. of the paraffin, may be produced in situ or added to the feed stock for use as a slurry or suspension: it may alternatively be used as a bed by incorporation into porous alumina and liquid reactants forced therethrough under pressure.  Preferred reaction conditions are 40 DEG  - 250 DEG  F. and 1-30 at., continuous operation being preferred.  In continuous operation the unreacted reactants may be separated by conventional means, preferably using a molecular sieve, and recycled after addition of make-up olefin to the paraffin feed line: a diluent, e.g., a highly refined mineral oil may be added to the feed mixture.  Specified radiations are g -rays, X-rays, b -rays, a -particles, neutrons and accelerated electrons; suitable sources are natural or artificial radioactive materials, e.g., Co-60 and nuclear reactors (in which the reactants may form the moderator).ALSO:Normal paraffins together with mono-olefins are irradiated in the liquid phase with high energy ionising radiation in the presence of a Friedel-Craft type catalyst, e.g. aluminium chloride until 10-6-103 KWH. of energy/lb. of hydrocarbons has been absorbed, whereby alkylation is effected.  The preferred paraffins are those containing 4-12 carbon atoms, field butanes, n-butanes from catalytic cracking, paraffins remaining after removal of olefins from refinery C4 cuts, waste paraffins from thermal or catalytic alkylation processes, light virgin naphthas and straight run naphthas being specified.  The preferred olefins are those having 3-12 carbon atoms, propene, butenes, pentenes, hexenes, heptenes, cyclic olefins and mixtures, e.g. olefin concentrates from catalytic and thermal cracking and coking being specified. Preferably the molar ratio of paraffin to olefin is between 3:1 and 100:1.  The products are normally liquid, saturated, branched chain hydrocarbons boiling between 85 and 440 DEG F.: in the example a mixture of n-butane and propylene yielded predominantly isobutane and C9 paraffins or naphthenes together with numerous specified fractions of intermediate molecular weight.  The catalyst, which may comprise 10-250% by wt. of the paraffin, may be produced in situ or added to the feed stock for use as a slurry or suspension: it may alternatively be used as a bed by incorporation into porous alumina and liquid reactants forced therethrough under pressure. Preferred reaction conditions are 40-250 DEG F. and 1-30 at., continuous operation being preferred.  In continuous operation the unreacted reactants may be separated by conventional means, preferably using a molecular sieve, and recycled after addition of make-up olefin to the paraffin feed line: a diluent, e.g. a highly refined mineral oil may be added to the feed mixture. Specified radiations are g -rays, X-rays, b -rays, a -particles, neutrons and accelerated electrons; suitable sources are natural or artificial radioactive materials, e.g. Co-60 and nuclear reactors (in which the reactants may form the moderator).