Aluminum chloride-bauxite catalyst

The other vapor-phase butane isomerization process, developed cooperatively by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. and the Standard Oil Development Co., is somewhat similar to the Isocel process. In the AIOC-Jersey process (18), the reactor is initially filled with bauxite, and aluminum chloride is sublimed into the vaporized feed as necessary to maintain the desired catalyst activity. Upflow of vapor through the reactor is the customary arrangement. Since carry-over of aluminum chloride is not excessive at the usual rates of catalyst addition, about half of the commercial plants employing this process were not equipped with guard chambers. 

October, 1941. The isomerization is carried out in the vapor phase over a bauxite-supported aluminum chloride catalyst. A simplified flow diagram showing the essential features of the process (3) is given in Figure 12. 

The dried butene is vaporized and superheated to the desired temperature and passed on the reactor which contains substantially dehydrated, low iron-content bauxite (Poroccl). A controlled portion of the superheated vapor is passed through a vessel charged with ahuninum chloride prior to entering the reactor. Aluminum chloride thus is vaporized and fed into the reactor as required and is adsorbed on the bauxite. This technique enables the catalyst to be maintained in a relatively uniform and high state of activity. 

Typical reaction conditions and results are as follows temperature, 120-150° C. pressure, 14-17 atmospheres feed rate, 0.5-1.0 volumes liquid butane per volume of bauxite per hour conversion to isobutane, 40-50% catalyst life, 180 gallons isobutane per pound of aluminum chloride, or 60 gallons isobutane per pound of bauxite. 

Other Processes. Numerous catalysts have been employed for polymerization, including highly stable silica-alumina (Phillips Pet. Co.), aluminum chloride, boron trifiuoride, and activated bauxite. ... 

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