IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE ISOMERIZATION OF PARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS

Patent · Wed Nov 23 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4101030

A method for isomerizing straight-chain and branchedchain alkanes to more highly branched hydrocarbons with Friedel-Crafts type catalysts is described in which catalytic activity and selectivity are increased, making it possible to obtain desired isomers in almost quantitative yields. The method comprises exposing a mixture of alkanes with 2 to 200 wt. % catalyst to high-energy ionizing radiation at 40 to 300 deg F until a dose of lO/sup -4/ to lO kwh per lb alkane is reached. Secondary cracking reactions can be repressed by adding to the mixture 2 to 20 wt. % of a cycloparaffin, preferably methyl cyclopentane. An application of this method is described in which the mixture of paraffin, catalyst, and cycloparaffin is fed to a reactor where it is exposed to radiation, the product is passed into a molecular seive which separates the constituents, and the separated unconverted paraffins are recycled to the reactor. Seven examples of this method and the yields obtainable are given using alkanes with 5, 6, and 7 carbon atoms per molecule, particularly n-hexane. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-15-006036
• OSTI ID: 4101030
• Report Number(s): GB 854602
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALKANES
ALUMINUM CHLORIDES
CATALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CYCLOALKANES
ENERGY
FRIEDEL-CRAFT REACTION
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
ISOMERS
PENTANE
RADIATIONS