Process for the production of alkylaromatics

An alkylation process comprising the steps of:

• providing a loop reactor comprising a reaction chamber and a heat exchanger, wherein the reaction chamber and the heat exchanger are in fluid communication with each other via at least one conduit such that a fluid in the reaction chamber can be circulated through the heat exchanger and returned to the reaction chamber;
• introducing an alkylatable aromatic compound into the loop reactor;
• introducing an olefin into the loop reactor;
• introducing a catalyst into the loop reactor;
• adjusting the alkylatable aromatic compound to a pre-reaction temperature that is below a desired reaction temperature prior to introducing the catalyst;
• adjusting the olefin to a second pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature prior to introducing the catalyst;
• optionally, adjusting the catalyst to a third pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature;
• initially contacting the catalyst and olefin in the conduit circulating fluid from the reaction chamber to the heat exchanger;
• circulating the alkylatable aromatic compound, the olefin and the catalyst in the loop reactor;
• and
• maintaining the alkylatable aromatic compound and olefin at the desired reaction temperature after contacting the catalyst and olefin,
• wherein adjusting the olefin to a second pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature occurs before the step of initially contacting the catalyst and olefin in the conduit circulating fluid from the reaction chamber to the heat exchanger, and
• wherein adjusting the alkylatable aromatic compound to a pre-reaction temperature that is below the desired reaction temperature comprises circulating the alkylatable aromatic compound through the heat exchanger.