Patent ID: 7038101

Claim:
A method for improving the efficiency of a dimerization reactor that receives a hydrocarbon feed and produces a first output stream comprising a light hydrocarbon component, a dimer and an alcohol component, comprising the steps of: (a) separating the first output stream into a top stream containing the light hydrocarbon component and a bottom stream containing the dimer and selecting the process parameters for the separation such that the alcohol component is divided between the top stream and the bottom steam; (b) contacting at least one of the bottom and top streams with a water stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol component therefrom, thereby forming an water/alcohol stream; (c) contacting at least a portion of the water/alcohol stream with a hydrocarbon stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol present in the water/alcohol stream into the hydrocarbon stream, thereby forming an alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream; and (d) feeding the alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream into the dimerization reactor.