Patent ID: 7271309

Claim:
A process for the catalytic reaction of at least one isoparaffin having 4 to 6 C atoms per molecule with at least one olefin having 2 to 6 C atoms per molecule in a liquid phase to obtain a product containing alkylate, wherein a suspension containing isoparaffin and a granular zeolite catalyst is supplied to the upper region of and flows downwards through a gas/liquid mass transfer column having a plurality of gas-and liquid-permeable trays, a reboiler, and a reflux condenser, an isoparaffin-olefin mixture is introduced into the column below the point where the catalyst-containing suspension is supplied, liquid accumulates in the bottom of the reactor, and a part of said liquid is passed through the reboiler where it is heated to be at least partially evaporated and returned to the mass transfer column, said at least partially evaporated liquid forming an upwardly flowing vapor comprising isoparaffin, the temperatures in the mass transfer column thereby being maintained in the range from 50 to 120° C., the vapor passing upwardly through the column countercurrent to the downward flowing suspension, whereby a mixing of the downwardly flowing suspension and the upwardly flowing vapor takes place on at least some of said gas/liquid permeable trays whereby the isoparaffin and olefin are reacted to form an alkylate, a product mixture containing alkylate is withdrawn from the bottom region of the column and an alkylate product is recovered therefrom in a separation by distillation, and excess vapor reaching the top of the column is condensed in the reflux condenser and returned to the column as a reflux.