Systems and methods for converting n-butane to iso-butane

A method of isomerizing n-butane to form isobutane, the method comprising:

• flowing a feed stream comprising n-butane to a reactor, the reactor comprising:
• a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed, wherein the first catalyst bed and the second catalyst bed are separate so that catalyst in the first catalyst bed does not contact catalyst in the second catalyst bed;
• and
• a heat exchanger disposed between the first catalyst bed and the second catalyst bed;
• isomerizing, in the first catalyst bed, at least some of the n-butane in the feed stream to form a first amount of isobutane;
• flowing an intermediate product comprising the first amount of isobutane from the first catalyst bed to the heat exchanger;
• cooling, by the heat exchanger, the intermediate product to form cooled intermediate product;
• flowing the cooled intermediate product to the second catalyst bed;
• isomerizing, in the second catalyst bed, at least some n-butane, if any, in the cooled intermediate product to form a second amount of isobutane;
• and
• flowing a product stream comprising the first amount of isobutane and the second amount of isobutane from the second catalyst bed;
• wherein the first catalyst bed comprises an isomerizing catalyst that can catalyze isomerization of n-butane.