# US 9,433,913 B2 · Catalytic isobutane alkylation

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- Number: US 9,433,913 B2
- Document ID: US9433913B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/059,911
- Filed: 2013-10-22
- Published: 2014-02-13
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2007-03-21
- Assignees: Precision Combustion, Inc.
- Applicants: Precision Combustion, Inc.
- Inventors: William C Pfefferle; Shahrokh Etemad
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433913B2

## CPC

- B01J 16/005: {in the presence of catalytically active bodies, e.g. porous plates}
- B01J 12/007: {in the presence of catalytically active bodies, e.g. porous plates}
- B01J 19/2475: {Membrane reactors}
- C07C 2/58: Catalytic processes
- C07C 2529/068: Noble metals
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

## Abstract

A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A reactor for the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon with an oxidant, wherein the reactor provides for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant comprising the oxidant with a catalyst surface, the reactor comprising:
(a) a first flow vessel defining an interior surface and an exterior surface;
(b) a catalyst capable of catalyzing the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon, the catalyst deposited on at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel;
(c) a second flow vessel positioned within the first flow vessel wherein the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a limiting reactant comprising an oxidant uniformly over the surface of the partial oxidation catalyst deposited on the interior surface of the first flow vessel; and
(d) wherein under operative conditions when passing a feed of hydrocarbon between the second flow vessel exterior surface and the first flow vessel interior surface and when passing a feed of oxidant into the second flow vessel, a hydrocarbon-to-oxidant surface ratio at the surface of the catalyst is maintained greater than 50 times a hydrocarbon-to-oxidant feed ratio of the feeds of hydrocarbon and oxidant to the reactor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The reactor of claim 1 wherein the catalyst comprises a precious metal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The reactor of claim 2 wherein the catalyst comprises platinum.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The reactor of claim 2 wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The reactor of claim 1 wherein the first vessel exterior surface is in contact with a heat transfer fluid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The reactor of claim 1 wherein under operative conditions the hydrocarbon-to-oxidant surface ratio at the surface of the catalyst is greater than 1,000/1 at a feed ratio of hydrocarbon-to-oxidant of 10/1 or 20/1.

### Claim 7

A reactor for partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon comprising:
(a) an outer tube defining an outer tube interior surface and an outer tube exterior surface;
(b) a catalyst capable of catalyzing a partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon, the catalyst deposited on at least a portion of the outer tube interior surface so as to define a catalyst surface;
(c) a porous metal tube positioned within the outer tube defining a porous metal tube interior surface and a porous metal tube exterior surface and providing a uniform flow rate over the length of the porous metal tube from the porous metal tube exterior surface to the outer tube interior surface; and
(d) wherein under operative conditions when passing a feed of hydrocarbon between the porous metal tube exterior surface and the outer tube interior surface and when passing a feed of oxidant into the porous metal tube, a hydrocarbon-to-oxidant surface ratio at the surface of the catalyst is maintained greater than 50 times a hydrocarbon-to-oxidant feed ratio of the feeds of hydrocarbon and oxidant to the reactor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The reactor of claim 7 wherein the catalyst comprises a precious metal.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The reactor of claim 8 wherein the catalyst comprises platinum or rhodium.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The reactor of claim 1 wherein under operative conditions the hydrocarbon-to-oxidant surface ratio at the surface of the catalyst is greater than 1,000/1 at a feed ratio of hydrocarbon-to-oxidant of 10/1 or 20/1.