Alkylation processes in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts
Alkylation of olefins by paraffins

The use of heterogeneous catalysts is the most suitable solution for reducing the risks inherent in the use of liquid catalysts and in particular HF. The aim is to provide an environmentally risk-free alternative at a cost comparable to HF and H₂SO₄ processes.

Research into catalysts and associated technologies has come up against several major difficulties:

• the catalyst must be sufficiently acidic to enable it to operate at low temperatures (below 50°C), so as to minimize cracking reactions of the alkylates produced, as well as oligomerization reactions of the olefins. Both alkylation yield and alkylate quality (octane number) deteriorate as reaction temperature rises;

• the products of the alkylation reaction have a higher molecular weight than the reactants, so the porosity of the catalyst must allow them to diffuse well...