HF Alkylation Process Incorporating ExxonMobil Concepts Disclosed In U.S. Patent Applications Issued In June/July 2008

ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company has disclosed process concepts relating to improvements in HF alkylation technology in three recently published Patent Applications. The subjects of the disclosures are: (1) a modified shell and tube type reactor for conducting the primary alkylation reaction, (2) a low acid inventory process scheme for reducing alkyl fluoride content up-stream of product recovery, and (3) a simplified process scheme for internal regeneration of spent acid. This Review examines the inventions in the context of a ca 20,000 bbl/day ReVAP HF alkylation plant. A process design is developed for the plant incorporating the inventions with the design based on the results of a detailed process simulation. Capital and Production costs are estimated for the plant. It is concluded that the disclosed concepts “appear” to offer incremental improvements to vapor suppressed HF alkylation technology. The qualifier is added because the disclosures do not include any reduction-to- practice data.