Methods and apparatuses for isomerization of paraffins

A method for isomerization of paraffins, the method comprising the steps of:

• activating an isomerization catalyst in a reactor operating at isomerization conditions to form a chloride-promoted isomerization catalyst, wherein the isomerization catalyst is activated with HCl generated from a chloride promoter stream and from a HCl and H2-rich recycle stream;
• contacting a paraffin feed stream comprising un-branched paraffins with the chloride-promoted isomerization catalyst in the reactor in the presence of hydrogen to form an isomerization effluent comprising branched paraffins, HCl, H2, and other C7-hydrocarbons;
• introducing the isomerization effluent to a stabilizer at stabilization conditions to form a product stream that comprises branched and un-branched paraffins and a stabilizer vapor stream that comprises HCl, H2, and C6-hydrocarbons;
• separating the stabilizer vapor stream in a separator at first separation conditions into a net gas vapor that comprises HCl, H2 and C5-hydrocarbons and a liquid stream that comprises C2- and C3+ hydrocarbons;
• separating the net gas vapor in a chiller at second separation conditions into a C5-hydrocarbons-rich phase and a HCl and H2-rich stream;
• and
• directly recycling at least a portion of the HCl and H2-rich stream back to the reactor as the HCl and H2-rich recycle stream.