Patent ID: 8119084

Claim:
A reactor for the autorefrigerant sulfuric acid isoparaffin/olefin alkylation process which comprises: a closed, generally cylindrical reactor vessel with a vertically disposed central axis, at least one inlet for refrigerant isoparaffin reactant located at the lower end of the reactor vessel, at least one inlet for sulfuric acid catalyst located at the lower end of the reactor vessel, at least one outlet for liquid reaction mixture located at the upper end of the reactor vessel, at least one vapor outlet located at the upper end of the reactor vessel, a series of inlets for olefin reactant at successive vertically spaced intervals up the length of the reactor vessel, a series of co-acting baffles having, alternately along the length of the reactor, central flow passages and peripheral flow passages for the reaction mixture to define sequential reaction zones through which the reaction mixture of reactants and sulfuric acid catalyst passes by way of an extended, sinuous flow path, a rotary mixer located on the axis of the vessel comprising a driven shaft with multiple impellers to provide agitation to reaction mixture ascending the reactor.