# US 8,541,638 B2 · Process to remove dissolved AlCl3 from ionic liquid

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- Number: US 8,541,638 B2
- Document ID: US8541638B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/324,570
- Filed: 2008-11-26
- Published: 2010-05-27
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2008-11-26
- Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
- Applicants: Moinuddin Ahmed; Huping Luo; Krishniah Parimi; Bong-Kyu Chang; Sara Lindsay
- Inventors: Moinuddin Ahmed; Huping Luo; Krishniah Parimi; Bong-Kyu Chang; Sara Lindsay
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541638B2

## CPC

- C07C 2/58: Catalytic processes
- B01J 31/0277: {comprising ionic liquids, as components in catalyst systems or catalysts per se, the ionic liquid compounds being used in the molten state at the respective reaction temperature}
- B01J 31/0284: {of an aromatic ring, e.g. pyridinium}
- B01J 31/40: Regeneration or reactivation
- B01J 31/4061: {involving membrane separation}
- C07C 2/60: with halides
- C07C 2527/126: Aluminium chloride
- Y02P 20/584: Recycling of catalysts
- C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

Disclosed herein are processes in which precipitation permits removal of metal halides (e.g. AlCl3) from ionic liquids. After precipitation, the precipitated metal halides can be physically separated from the bulk ionic liquid. More effective precipitation can be achieved through cooling or the combination of cooling and the provision of metal halide seed crystals. The ionic liquids can be regenerated ionic liquid catalysts, which contain excess metal halides after regeneration. Upon removal of the excess metal halides, they can be reused in processes using ionic liquid catalysts, such as alkylation processes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for removing dissolved metal halides from an ionic liquid, comprising:
a) feeding the ionic liquid comprising dissolved metal halides to a vessel and providing metal halide seed crystals to provide a mixture comprising ionic liquid, dissolved metal halides, and metal halide seed crystals;
b) cooling the mixture in the vessel to provide precipitated metal halides;
c) removing the precipitated metal halides from the vessel, and
d) removing from an upper portion of the vessel at least a portion of the mixture, cooling the portion in a heat exchanger, and reintroducing the portion to the vessel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, further comprising filtering the removed portion prior to cooling the removed portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The process according to claim 2, wherein the removed portion is reintroduced into the vessel at a rate between 5 and 50 times an ionic liquid feed rate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, further comprising separating the precipitated metal halides from the mixture by decantation or filtration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, further comprising separating the precipitated metal halides from the mixture by filtration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is cooled to a temperature less than 50° C.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is cooled to room temperature or to less than room temperature.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid is a regenerated ionic liquid catalyst.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the metal halide is AlCl3.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the metal is a Group III-A, II-B, or I-B metal.