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Brian H Johnson

Brian W Hedrick

Frank T Micklich

Frank R Whitsura

Bill R Engelman

Daniel G Meier

Paul Alvin Sechrist

Lynn H Rice

James G Hagen

A process for the continuous oligomerization of ethylene to produce linear alpha olefins by oligomerizing ethylene in a polar phase comprising a solution of transition metal catalyst system at oligomerization conditions including a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperature and pressure of ethylene. The resulting hydrocarbon phase containing oligomers and unreacted ethylene is subjected to physical treatment which tends to render the ethylene a nonsolvent for oligomers and thereby produce a liquid stream rich in unreacted ethylene which may be recycled to the oligomerization reaction zone by pumping.

Process for linear alpha-olefin production

A separation process for improved separation of liquids containing finely divided suspended particles using multiple stacks of parallel angled interceptor plates which divide the separation vessel to provide an annular space between the parallel angled interceptor plates and the vertical wall of the separation vessel to thereby form an inlet manifold for the plates which manifold provides a uniform, uninterrupted flow to each stack of plates. The arrangement of plates also forms an outlet manifold which provides a uniform flow from each stack of plates and directs the liquid stream having a reduced level of finely divided suspended particles downward in the separation vessel to an exit in the lower end of the vessel. The feed liquid is introduced into the lower end of the separation vessel with an inlet distributor which initially directs at least a major portion of the feed liquid in a generally downward direction to effect a primary separation prior to being introduced into the stacks of parallel angled interceptor plates. The introduction of the feed liquid and the exit of the separated product streams from the lower end of the separation vessel balance the velocity heads on either side of the stacks of the parallel angled interceptor plates and eliminates horizontal surfaces which would accumulate solids.

Process for phase separation

The benzene content in a gasoline pool is reduced by an isomerization process that splits a benzene-containing C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 feedstream between at least two reaction zones and combines the feed fractions with effluent streams. The splitting of the feed stream distributes the heat of reaction over two reactors and lowers the relative exotherm. The lower exotherm for benzene saturation permits higher benzene feeds to be processed without reducing product quality.

Isomerization of split-feed benzene-containing paraffinic feedstocks

A separation apparatus for improved separation of liquids containing finely divided suspended particles having multiple stacks of parallel interceptor plates which divide the separation vessel to provide an annular space between the parallel interceptor plates and the vertical wall of the separation vessel to thereby form an inlet manifold for the plates which manifold provides a uniform, uninterrupted flow to each stack of plates. The arrangement of plates also forms an outlet manifold which provides a uniform flow from each stack of plates and directs the liquid stream having a reduced level of finely divided suspended particles downward in the separation vessel to an exit in the lower end of the vessel. The feed liquid is introduced into the lower end of the separation vessel with an inlet distributor which initially directs at least a majority of the feed liquid in a generally downward direction to effect a primary separation prior to being introduced into the stacks of parallel interceptor plates. The introduction of the feed liquid and the exit of the separated product streams from the lower end of the separation vessel balance the velocity heads on either side of the stacks of the parallel interceptor plates and eliminates horizontal surfaces which would accumulate solids.

Phase separator apparatus

A process is disclosed for the isomerization of a C.sub.4 feedstock and a C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 feedstock that reduces equipment and operating expenses by utilizing a process flow scheme that provides beneficial heat integration and facilitates the use of a common recovery zone while permitting a wide variation in the relative ratio of a C.sub.4 to a C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 feedstock. The isomerization of the C.sub.4 feedstock takes place in a separate reaction zone. The effluent from the C.sub.4 isomerization zone is heat exchanged against or mixed with the C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 feedstock ahead of an additional isomerization zone that converts the C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbons, and if present, normal C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, to more highly branched hydrocarbons. Effluents from both isomerization zones enter a common separation section that removes light gases from the isomerate product. This invention simplifies the simultaneous isomerization of C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 feedstocks. If offers significant cost and operational advantages to newly designed units and is beneficial in the revamp of existing isomerization units to either add or improve butane isomerization capabilities. For example, butane isomerization capability may be incorporated into an existing C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 isomerization unit by adding as few pieces of major equipment as a butane drier, a feed exchanger, and one or two reactors.

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Long Grove, IL, United States of America

Brian H Johnson