PRODUCTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization for distillate production.

As the world's supply of crude oil dwindles, processes such as Fisher- Tropsch synthesis and coal-to-Liquid (CTL) may become more economically viable, and increased usage of these technologies has been proposed. Both Fisher-Tropseh and coal-to-liquid processes generate substantial amounts of light condensate streams rich in olefins. As the demand for jet fuel and diesel fuel increases, there is more interest in converting the light condensate streams into distillate range products, particularly for jet fuel, diesel fuel, and lube base stock. However, conventional processes offer only limited options for upgrading the condensate into distillate or lube base stock range products. In general, oligomerization reactions have been applied widely in the chemical and petroleum industries, including olefin oligomerization for the conversion of olefins to heavier products. With respect to applications for upgrading condensate, zeolite based catalysts have failed to achieve high conversion of olefins. In addition, zeolite based catalysts do not provide high levels of selectivity towards distillate range material, having a tendency to make lighter (less valuable) products. Furthermore, zeolite based catalysts for olefin conversions are prone to fairly rapid deactivation, while an alternative H ₃ PO ₄ based oligomerization process tends to provide low quality products.

It can be seen that there is a need for improved processes for condensate upgrading that provide higher rates of olefin conversion into distillate, improved selectivity, and steady state catalytic activity for extended periods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 represents a scheme for an ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion process using an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon feed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 represents a scheme for an olefin enrichment process using an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon feed, according to an aspect of the process of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 represents a scheme for an ionic liquid catalyzed, olefin oligomenzation process, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an olefin

oligomenzation process comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon stream comprising C¾ - C ₈ olefins with an ionic liquid catalyst in a hydrocarbon conversion zone under oligomenzation conditions to oligomerize the olefins and to provide a first distillate enriched stream including one or more halogenated components, and removing the one or more halogenated. components from the first distillate enriched stream to provide a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream.

In another embodiment, the present invention further provides an olefin oligomenzation process comprising providing a first Fischer- Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream comprising a C _8- Fischer- Tropsch condensate comprising oxygenates; contacting the Fischer-Tropsch condensate with a dehydration catalyst in a dehydration zone under oxygenate dehydrating conditions to convert at least a portion of the oxygenates in the Fischer-Tropsch condensate to olefins and to provide an olefin enriched Fischer-Tropsch condensate; contacting the olefin enriched Fischer-Tropsch condensate with an ionic liquid catalyst in an oligomerization zone under oligomenzation conditions to oligomerize the olefins and to provide a first distillate enriched stream including one or more halogenated components; contacting the first distillate enriched stream with a hydrodechlorination catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a hydrodechlorination zone under hydrodechlorination conditions to provide a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream; contacting at feast one of a second Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream and a third Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream with a hydroprocessing catalyst in a hydroprocessing zone under hydroprocessing conditions to provide a second distillate enriched stream; feeding the second distillate enriched stream and the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream to a distillation unit; and via the distillation unit, separating a distillate product trom at least one of the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream and the second distillate enriched stream.

As used, herein, the terms "comprising" and "comprises" mean the inclusion of named elements or steps that are identified following those terms, but not necessarily excluding other unnamed elements or steps. The term "Periodic Table" as referred to herein is the IUPAC version of the Periodic Table of the Elements dated June 22, 2007, and the numbering scheme for the Periodic Table Groups is as described in Chemical and Engineering News, 63(5), 27 (1985).

The term "distillate" or "distillate product" as referred to herein, is a hydrocarbon product boiling in the range of 250°F+- (i21°C+).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect of the present in vention, oxygenate containing hydrocarbon streams may be upgraded to high value products using ionic liquid catalyzed processes. The oxygenate containing hydrocarbon streams may be pre-treated in an olefin enrichment zone under olefin enrichment conditions to provide an olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. In an embodiment, the present invention may find applications in upgrading olefins present in Fischer-Tropsch condensate, together with olefins formed by dehydration of oxygenate components of Fischer-Tropsch condensate, by olefin oligomerization.

In an embodiment, olefins in the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may undergo oligomerization when contacted with an ionic liquid, catalyst to provide a first distillate enriched hydrocarbon stream. Ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization may take place under the same or similar conditions as ionic liquid, catalyzed olefin/isoparaffin alkylation. As a result, in an embodiment of the present invention, both olefin oligomerization and olefin/isoparaffin alkylation may take place concurrently in a single hydrocarbon conversion zone. In another embodiment of the present invention, an oligomeric product formed in the hydrocarbon conversion zone may be subsequently alkylated by reaction with an isoparaffin in the same hydrocarbon conversion zone.

Ionic liquid catalyzed processes of the present invention, e.g., olefin oligomerization, may be performed in the presence of a co-catalyst or promoter to provide enhanced or improved catalytic activity. A co-catalyst according to the present invention may comprise, for example, anhydrous HC1 or organic chloride (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.

Nos.7,495, 144 to Elomari, and 7,531,707 to Harris et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety). When organic chloride is used as the co-catalyst with the ionic liquid, HC1 may be formed in situ in the reactor during the hydrocarbon conversion process. Ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion products may include one or more halogenated components, as disclosed in commonly assigned co-pending patent application Serial No. 12/847,313 entitled HydrodecMorinalion of ionic liquid-derived hydrocarbon products, filed on July 30, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Products of ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion processes of the instant invention may be dechlorinated in a dechlorination zone, for example, by hot caustic treatment, by adsorption of organochlorine species using a suitable adsorbent, or by catalytic hydrodechlormation, to provide a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream. In an embodiment, catalytic hydrodechlorination may involve contacting the first distillate enriched stream with a hydrodechlorination catalyst in a hydrodechlormation zone in the presence of hydrogen at relatively low pressure. Products provided by the present invention will typically have a chloride content below levels specified for distillate fuels, such that products of the present invention may be blended into refinery product streams.

Ionic liquid catalysts

In an embodiment, processes according to the present invention may use a catalytic composition comprising at least one metal halide and at feast one quaternary ammonium haiide and/or at least one amine halohydride. The at least one metal halide may be selected from AICI3, AlBr ₃ , GaCl ₃ , GaBr ₃ , 111CI3, and InBr ₃ . The ionic liquid catalyst may comprise an alkyl substituted quaternary amine halide, an alky] substituted pyridinium halide, or an alkyl substituted imidazolium halide of the general formula Ν¾ . As non-limiting examples, ionic liquid catalysts useful in practicing the present invention may be represented by the general formulas A and B,

wherein R=H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or liexvl, and X is a halide, and R- _; and

R ₂ =H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl, wherein Rj and R ₂ may or may not be the same. In an embodiment, X is chloride. Quaternary ammonium halides which can be used in accordance with the present invention may include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,455, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. An exemplary metal halide that may be used for formulating an ionic liquid catalyst in accordance with the present invention is aluminum chloride ( ΛΚΊ ^■ .). In an embodiment, the ionic liquid catalyst may be a chloroahiminate ionic liquid prepared by mixing Ali¾ and an alkyl substituted pyridinium halide, an alkyl substituted imidazolium halide, a trialkyl ammonium hydrohaHde, or a tetraalkylammonium halide, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,495, 144, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In a sub-embodiment, the ionic liquid catalyst may comprise N-butylpyridinium heptachlorodialuminate ionic liquid, which may be prepared, for example, by combining AICI ₃ with a salt of the general formula A, supra, wherein R is n-butyi and X is chloride. The present invention is not limited to any particular ionic liquid catalyst composition(s).

Ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion systems and processes With reference to Figure 1, an ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion system 10 for processing a plurality of hydrocarbon feeds for maximum distillate yield according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an olefin enrichment unit 100, a hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10, a hydroprocessing unit 120, a dechlorination unit 170, and a first distillation unit 130.

With reference to Figure 1, a first hydrocarbon stream may include substantial amounts of oxygenates. The first hydrocarbon stream may be treated in olefin enrichment unit 100 under olefin enrichment conditions, wherein oxygenates may be converted to olefins to provide an olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. Olefin enrichment unit 100 may also be referred to herein as an olefin enrichment zone. The first hydrocarbon stream may typically comprise from about 0.5 to 30 wt% oxygenates. in an embodiment, the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may be enriched in olefins by converting the oxygenates in the stream to olefins. In an embodiment, oxygenates in the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise alcohols, and the alcohols may be converted to olefins by dehydration of the alcohol by treatment with a dehydration catalyst. In an embodiment, treating the oxygenate containing

hydrocarbon stream in olefin enrichment unit 100 may further include the removal of oxygenates and/or water from the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream (see, for example, Figure 2). Various methods and techniques for removing oxygenates from hydrocarbon streams are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,962 to O'Rear et ah, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In ail embodiment, the first hydrocarbon stream may comprise a Cg- condensate. The Cg- condensate may include LPG (C3 - C ₄ ) components and ethylene. In a sub-embodiment, the Cg- condensate may be derived from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In another sub- embodiment, the Cg_ condensate may be obtained by a coal liquefaction (coal-to-liquid (CTL)) process.

During an ionic liquid catalyzed, hydrocarbon conversion process of the instant invention, the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may be fed from olefin enrichment unit 100 to hydrocarbon conversion unit 110. Hydrocarbon conversion unit .1 10 may also be referred to herein as a hydrocarbon conversion zone. In an embodiment, the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may typically comprise from about 1 to 90 wt% olefins, and often from about 5 to 60 wt% olefins. In an embodiment, the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may typically comprise less than about 0.5 wt% oxygenates, and often less than about 0.3 wt% oxygenates.

Prior to hydrocarbon conversion unit i 10, the olefin enriched, hydrocarbon stream may optionally be subjected to a hydroisomerization step to shift the position of the C^C bond(s) in the olefin molecule and/or to introduce branching into the carbon chain. By shifting the double bond position and. inducing branching of the carbon chain, the boiling point distribution of distillate products of the invention may be modified. in an embodiment, the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream and the ionic liquid catalyst may be introduced into hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10 via separate inlet ports (not shown). The olefin enriched, hydrocarbon stream may be contacted with the ionic liquid catalyst in hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10 under olefin oligomerization conditions to provide a first distillate enriched stream. In an embodiment, the ionic liquid catalyst may comprise a ehloroaluminate ionic liquid. The feeds to hydrocarbon conversion unit 0 may further include a catalyst promoter, such as anhydrous HCi or an alkyl halide. In an embodiment, the catalyst promoter may comprise a C ₂ - C alkyl chloride, such as n- butyl chloride or /-butyl chloride. Hydrocarbon conversion unit 110 may be vigorously mixed to promote contact between the olefin enriched, hydrocarbon stream and the ionic liquid catalyst.

Hydrocarbon conversion conditions within hydrocarbon conversion unit 110 may be adjusted to optimize process performance for a particular hydrocarbon conversion process of the present invention. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion conditions comprise oligomerization conditions, such that olefins in the olefin enriched stream are oligomerized. In another embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion conditions may comprise alkylation conditions, such that olefins in the olefin enriched stream may be alkylated by isoparaffins to provide an alkylate product. In yet another embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion conditions may comprise both oligomerization conditions and alkylation conditions, such that oligomerization and alkylation may occur concurrently within hydrocarbon conversion unit 110.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one reaction condition or parameter of the hydrocarbon conversion zone may be adjusted to selectively promote either olefin oligomerization or alkylation reactions. In an embodiment, the reaction conditions may be selected such that olefin oligomerization reactions may be promoted, relative to alkylation. As an example, at least one reaction condition of the hydrocarbon conversion zone may be adjusted to selectively promote olefin oligomerization, while at the same time olefin/isoparaffin alkylation reactions may be suppressed.

As non-limiting examples only, and while not being bound by theory, olefin

oligomerization may be favored at the expense of alkylation by selecting a relatively high reaction temperature, by decreasing the relative amount of co-catalyst (e.g., HC1 or alkyl halide) in hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10, or by increasing the conjunct polymer content within hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 0. The conjunct polymer content may be controlled, by adjusting the rate at which used ionic liquid catalyst is replenished, with fresh ionic liquid catalyst, and/or by adjusting the rate of ionic liquid catalyst regeneration, as described hereinbelow.

During hydrocarbon conversion processes of the invention, hydrocarbon con version unit 1 10 may contain a mixture comprising ionic liquid catalyst and. a hydrocarbon phase, The hydrocarbon phase may comprise at least one hydrocarbon conversion product of the ionic liquid catalyzed reaction. In an embodiment, the ionic liquid catalyst may be separated from the hydrocarbon phase via a catalyst/hydrocarbon separator (not shown), wherein the hydrocarbon and ionic liquid catalyst phases may be allowed to settle under gravity, by using a eoalescer, or by a combination thereof. The use of coalescers for liquid-liquid separations is disclosed in commonly assigned US Pub. No.

201G0130800A 1, the disclosure of which is incorporated, by reference herein in its entirety. The hydrocarbon phase may be greatly enriched in distillate material, e.g., in comparison with the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon phase may be fed to dechlorination unit 170, while at least a portion of the ionic liquid phase may be recycled to hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10. The hydrocarbon phase fed to dechlorination unit 170 ma be referred to herein as a first distillate enriched stream, and the effluent from dechlorination unit 170 may be referred to herein as a dechlorinated. distillate enriched stream. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream may be hydrodechlorinated under hydrodechlorination conditions in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrodechlorination catalyst, substantially as described with reference to Figure 3, infra. Dechlorination unit 170 may also serve to saturate any olefinic molecules in the first distillate enriched stream. In other embodiments, the first distillate enriched stream of the instant invention may be dechlorinated, for example, by hot caustic treatment, or by the adsorption of organochlorine species using a suitable adsorbent. The removal of organic halides from hydrocarbon materials is disclosed in commonly assigned US Fat. No. 7,538,256, and US Pub. Nos. 20100147740A1 and 2Q100147746A1, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

With further reference to Figure 1 , at least one of a second hydrocarbon stream and a third hydrocarbon stream may be fed to hydroprocessing unit 120 to provide a second distillate enriched stream. Hydroprocessing unit 120 may also be referred to herein as a hydroprocessing zone. In an embodiment, hydroprocessing unit 120 may include at least one of a hydrocracking zone and a hydrotreating zone. At least one of the second hydrocarbon stream and the third hydrocarbon stream may undergo hydrocracking in hydroprocessing unit 120. In a sub-embodiment, the second hydrocarbon stream may undergo hydrotreating, while the third hydrocarbon stream may undergo hydrocracking. In another sub-embodiment, both the second and third hydrocarbon streams may undergo hydrocracking. In an embodiment, the second hydrocarbon stream may comprise a (¼ ₊ condensate, while the third hydrocarbon stream may comprise Fischer-Tropsch wax (see. e.g., Figure 3). In a sub-embodiment, the (¾ _† condensate may be derived from Fischer- Tropsch synthesis.

The second distillate enriched stream may be fed, together with the dechiorinated distillate enriched stream, to first distillation unit 130 for the separation of a distillate product therefrom. An LPG product and a naphtha product may also be obtained via first distillation unit 130. The organic chloride content of each of the products from first distillation unit 130 will typically be sufficiently low to allow blending of such products into refinery streams. Typically, the organic chloride content of each of the products from first distillation unit 130 may be less than about 50 ppm, and often less than about 5 ppm.

Figure 3 represents a scheme for an ionic liquid catalyzed oligomerization process using a plurality of Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon streams, according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon oligomerization system 20 may include a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit 80, a third distillation unit 90, an olefin enrichment unit 100, an oligomerization unit 160, a hydroprocessing unit 120, a dechlorination unit 170, and a fourth distillation unit 130'. Synthesis gas (syngas) may be fed to Fischer-Tropsch unit 80 for Fiseher-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis, as is well known in the art. The product(s) from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit 80 may be separated., e.g., via third distillation unit 90, into a plurality of Fischer- Tropsch derived hydrocarbon streams. In the embodiment of Figure 3, a first Fischer-Tropsch hy drocarbon stream may comprise C _8- Fischer-Tropsch condensate, which may include LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as well as ethylene. A second Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon stream may comprise C (e.g., C9 - Cj g) Fischer-Tropsch condensate, while a third Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream may comprise Fischer-Tropsch wax (e.g., C 194- araffins).

The first Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream may comprise substantial amounts of C? - Cg olefins. The first Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream may also comprise substantial quantities of oxygenates in addition to olefins. Ionic liquid catalysts may be susceptible to deactivation by oxygenates in the feed. In an embodiment, the oxygenates may be removed from the first Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon stream by treatment in olefm enrichment unit 100 to provide an olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. Such treatment of the first Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon stream may be performed substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2, infra. The olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may be fed from olefin enrichment unit 100 to oiigomerization unit 160. Oligomerization unit 160 may also be referred to herein as an oligomerization zone. The olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream may comprise C ₂ - Cg olefins. Olefin oligomerization may be performed by contacting the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream with an ionic liquid catalyst in oligomerization unit 160 under oligomerization conditions to provide a first distillate enriched stream comprising oligomeric material. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream emanating from oligomerization unit 160 may comprise predominantly distillate range material.

In an embodiment, the ionic liquid catalyst in oligomerization unit 160 may comprise a chloroaluminate ionic liquid. The olefm enriched hydrocarbon stream may comprise isoparaffins, e.g., C4 - Cg isoparaffins, in addition to olefins. In an embodiment, the reaction conditions within oligomerization unit 160 may allow both olefin oligomerization and alleviation to occur concurrently in the presence of a given ionic liquid catalyst.

According to one aspect of the present invention one or more reaction conditions or parameters within oligomerization unit 160 may be selected to promote olefin oligomerization. At the same time, the reaction conditions within oligomerization unit 160 may cause the alkylation of olefins with isoparaffins to be suppressed. While not being bound by theory, and as non-limiting examples only, olefin oligomerization may be favored at the expense of alkylation by selecting a relatively high reaction

temperature, by decreasing the relative amount of co-catalyst (e.g., HQ or alkyl halide) in hydrocarbon conversion unit 110, and/or by increasing the conjunct polymer content within oligomerization unit 160. Conversely, alkylation may be favored by selecting a relatively low reaction temperature, by increasing the relative amount of co-catalyst (e.g., HQ or alkyl halide) in hydrocarbon conversion unit 1 10, and/or by decreasing the conjunct polymer concentration. During a single pass of the first hy drocarbon stream through oligomerization unit 160, typically at least about 70%, usually at least about 85%, and often at least about 95% of the olefins in the first hydrocarbon stream may be oligomerized following contact with the ionic liquid catalyst under suitable reaction conditions.

At least one of the second and third Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon streams (e.g., comprising C9 ₊ condensate and Ci9 ₊ wax, respectively) may be fed to hydroprocessing unit 120. Hydroprocessing unit 120 may also be referred to herein as a hydroprocessing zone. At least one of the second and third Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon streams may be contacted with a hydroprocessing catalyst under hydroprocessing conditions in the hydroprocessing zone to provide a second distillate enriched stream.

In an embodiment, the hydroprocessing zone may include a hydrocracking zone for hydrocracking at least one of the second and third Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon streams. In another embodiment, the hydroprocessing zone may include a hydrotreating zone for hydrotreating the second Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream. In another embodiment, the hydroprocessing zone may include both a hydrotreating zone and a hydrocracking zone. The second distillate enriched stream may be fed from the hydroprocessmg zone to fourth distillation unit 130'.

The first distillate enriched stream from oligomerization unit 160 may be fed. to dechlorination unit 170. Dechlorination unit 170 ma also be referred to herein as a dechlorination zone. The first distillate enriched stream may include, e.g., as contaminants, one or more halogenated components, such as organochiorines, as well as olefins. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream may be contacted with a hydrodechlorination catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in the dechlorination zone under hydrodechlorination conditions to remove the halogenated and ofefmic components from the first distillate enriched stream. The hydrodechlorination catalyst may comprise an element selected from the group consisting of elements of Groups 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Periodic Table, and combinations thereof, present as metals, oxides, or sulfides.

The effluent from dechlorination unit 170 may be referred to as a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream. In an embodiment, a first chloride content of the first distillate enriched stream may be greater than 50 ppm, typically greater than about 200 ppm, and often greater than about 1000 ppm; while a second chloride content of the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream may be less than 50 ppm, typically less than about 10 ppm, and often less than about 5 ppm.

The dechlorinated distillate enriched stream may be fed to fourth distillation unit 130' together with the second distillate enriched stream from hydroprocessing unit 120, and. a distillate product may be separated from at least one of the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream and the second distillate enriched stream. The distillate product may typically have a chloride content less than about 50 ppm, and often less than about 5 ppm. A naphtha product and an LPG product may also be separated via fourth distillation unit 130'. In an embodiment, the distillate product may comprise at least about 70 vol% of the distillation unit product stream. In comparison with conventional processes for upgrading Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbons in the absence of ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization, the present invention may provide a substantial increase in the yield of total distillate, while the proportion of both naphtha and LPG products may be greatly decreased.

According to an aspect of the instant invention, a bottoms fraction may also be separated. via fourth distillation unit 130'. In a sub-embodiment, the bottoms fraction may be recycled to hydroprocessing unit 120 to provide additional distillate enriched feed to fourth distillation unit 130'. Alternatively, the bottoms fraction may be collected separately for use in other processes, such as base oil production. Reaction condition for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversions

Due to the low solubility of hydrocarbons in ionic liquids, hydrocarbon conversion reactions in ionic liquids (including olefin oligomerization and isoparaffin/ofefin alkylation reactions) are generally biphasic and occur at the interface in the liquid state. The volume of ionic liquid catalyst in the reactor may be typically in the range from about 1 to 70 vol%, and usually from about 4 to 50 vol%. Generally, vigorous mixing (e.g., stirring or Venruri nozzle dispensing) is used to ensure good contact between the reactants and the ionic liquid catalyst. The reaction temperature may be typically in the range from about -40°F to +48Q°F, usually from about -4°F to +210°F, and often from about +40°F to -'- 140°F. The reactor pressure may be in the range from atmospheric pressure to about 8000 kPa. Typically, the reactor pressure will be sufficient to keep the reactants in the liquid phase.

Residence time of reactants in the reactor may generally be in the range from a few seconds to hours, and usually from about 0.5 min to 60 min. Heat generated, by the reaction may be dissipated using various means well known to the skilled artisan. The reaction product may be recycled to the reactor section to control the reactor temperature or to reduce the co-catalyst make-up rate. With continued use, the ionic liquid catalyst may become partially deactivated or spent. In order to maintain the catalytic activity, at least a portion of the ionic liquid phase may be fed to a catalyst regeneration unit (not shown) for regeneration of the ionic liquid catalyst. As an example, the ionic liquid catalyst may be regenerated by treatment with a regeneration metal, such as A3 metal, or by treatment of the ionic liquid catalyst in the presence of H ₂ with a hydrogenation catalyst. Processes for the regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst are disclosed in the patent literature (see, for example, U.S. Pat, Nos. 7.732,364 and 7,674,739, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety).

Ionic liquid catalyst deactivation may be associated with the accumulation of conjunct polymer, which may be removed from the ionic liquid during catalyst regeneration. The rate of withdrawal of spent ionic liquid catalyst and concomitant replenishment with fresh ionic liquid, and/or the rate at which the used ionic liquid is fed to the catalyst regeneration unit may be controlled to adjust the reaction conditions within

oligomerization unit 160, e.g., according to the target product(s).

Dechlorination of ionic liquid derived distillate enriched stream

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first distillate enriched stream, e.g., obtained from oligomerization unit 160, may typically comprise one or more halogenated components. As an example only, the first distillate enriched stream may have an organic chloride content generally greater than about 50 ppm, typically greater than about 200 ppm, and often greater than about 1000 ppm. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream from hydrocarbon conversion unit 110 may have an organic chloride content generally in the range from about 50 ppm to 5000 ppm, typically from about 100 ppm to 4000 ppm, and often from about 200 ppm to 3000 ppm. According to an aspect of the instant invention, the first distillate enriched stream may be fed to dechlorination unit 170 to provide a dechlorinated and saturated distillate enriched stream. Dechlorination unit 170 may also be referred to herein as a dechlorination zone. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched, stream may be dechlorinated by hot caustic treatment. In another embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream may be dechlorinated by adsorption of organ och!orine species using an adsorbent such as zeolite 13X, alumina, clay, silica-alumina, and the like. According to another embodiment of the instant invention, dechlorination unit 170 may comprise a hvdrodechlorination unit or zone, and the first distillate enriched stream may be fed to the hydrodechiorinaiion zone for hvdrodechlorination and olefin saturation by contacting the first distillate enriched stream with a hydrodechlorination catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrodechlorination conditions to pro vide a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream. The hydrodechlorination catalyst may comprise an element selected from the group consisting of elements of Groups 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Periodic Table, and combinations thereof, present as metals, oxides, or sulfides. In a sub-embodiment, the hydrodechlorination catalyst may comprise an element selected from Pd, Pi, Au, Ni, Co, Mo, and W, and their mixtures, present as metals, oxides, or sulfides.

The hydrodechlorination catalyst may further comprise a support. The support may comprise an inorganic porous material, such as a refractor}' oxide, or activated carbon. in an embodiment, the hydrodechlorination catalyst may comprise a noble metal on a refractor)' oxide support. Examples of refractory oxide support materials include alumina, silica, titania, alumina-silica, and zirconia, or the like, and combinations thereof. In a sub-embodiment, the hydrodechiormation catalyst may comprise Pd, or Pt, or a combination of Pd and Pt, e.g., in the range from about 0.05 to 3.0 wt% Pd, or Pt, or mixtures thereof.

The hydrodechlorination conditions within the hydrodechlorination zone may comprise a reaction temperature generally in the range from about 300°F to 750°F, and typically from about 400°F to 650°F, The hydrodechlorination conditions may include a reaction pressure generally in the range from about 100 to 5000 psig, and typically from about 200 to 2000 psig. A liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) feed rate to the

hydrodechlorination zone may be generally in the range from about 0.1 to 50 h ¹ , and typically from about 0.2 to 10 hr ^~ \ A hydrogen supply to the hydrodechlorination zone may be generally in the range from about 50 to 8000 standard cubic feet per barrel (SCFB) of the first distillate enriched stream, and typically from about 100 to 5000 SCI B. The first distillate enriched stream fed to dechlorination unit 170 may typically have a much higher chloride content as compared with that of the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream obtained from dechlorination u it 170. In an embodiment, a first chloride content of the first distillate enriched stream fed to dechlorination unit 170 may be greater than about 50 ppm. In an embodiment, the first distillate enriched stream fed to dechlorination unit 170 may have an organic chloride content generally in the range from about 50 ppm to 5000 ppm. typically from about 100 ppm to 4000 ppm, and often from about 200 ppm to 3000 ppm. In contrast, the organic chloride content of a dechlorinated distillate enriched stream obtained from dechlorination unit 170 may be greatly decreased as compared with that of the first distillate enriched stream. Typically, the dechlorinated distillate enriched stream may have a second chloride content less than 50 ppm, usually less than about 10 ppm, and often equal to or less than about 5 ppm. Analogous results will be obtained, when the present invention is practiced using ionic liquid catalyst systems based on haiides other than chlorides.

The first distillate enriched stream fed to dechlorination unit 170 may typically have an olefin content in the range from about 1 to 10 wt . After hydrodechlorination, the olefin content may be decreased to less than 1 wt%, and usually less than 0.5 wt%.

Feedstocks for hydrocarbon conversion processes

In ail embodiment, feeds for the present invention may comprise various hydrocarbon streams containing <¾ - Cg olefins, such as those in a petroleum refinery, a gas-to-liquid conversion plant, or a coal- to-liquid conversion plant, including streams from Fischer - Tropsch synthesis units, naphtha crackers, middle distillate crackers or wax crackers, as well as FCC offgas, FCC light naphtha, coker offgas, coker naphtha, and the like. Some such streams may contain significant amounts of oxygenates and/or isoparaffin(s) in addition to olefin(s). In a sub-embodiment, an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream useful in practicing the present invention may comprise Fischer-Tropsch condensate.

As a non-limiting example, an oxygenated olefin containing hydrocarbon stream useful in practicing the present invention may typically comprise from about 1 to 90 wt% olefins, and from about 0.5 to 30 wt% oxygenates. The oxygenate components of the oxygenated olefin containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise from about 0.1 to 30 wt% Cj - Cg alkanols and Ci - Cg carboxylic acids. Such streams may be fed to an olefin enrichment unit or zone to provide an olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream (see, e.g., Figure 2).

In an embodiment, an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may contain two or more olefins selected from ethylene, propylene, butylenes, pentenes, and up to Cg olefins. The oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise alpha olefins and/or interna! olefins (i.e., having an interna! double bond). The olefins may be either straight chain, or branched, or a mixture of the two. In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise a mixture of mostly linear olefins from C2 to about Cg. Olefin enrichment of oxygenate containing hydrocarbon streams

Figure 2 represents a scheme for olefin enrichment of an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon feed, according to an aspect of the process of Figure 1.

The oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may be, for example, any of various hydrocarbon streams, which contain significant or substantial amounts of oxygenates, in a petroleum refinery, a gas-to- liquid conversion plant, or a coal-to-liquid conversion plant, and the like. In an embodiment, the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise a Fischer-Tropsch condensate. With further reference to Figure 2, olefin enrichment unit 100 for treating an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may include an oxygenate dehydration unit 102.

Oxygenate dehydration unit 102 may also be referred to herein as a dehydration zone. Oxygenate dehydration unit 102 may include a dehydration catalyst. In an embodiment, a process for treating an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise dehydrating oxygenates in the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream by contacting the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream with the dehydration catalyst in the dehydration zone under dehydration conditions. In an embodiment, oxygenates present in the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may comprise predominantly alcohols. The alcohols may be converted to olefins by contacting the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream with the dehydration catalyst to provide an olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. The dehydration conditions for dehydrating oxygenates in the oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream may include a temperature in the range from about 400°F to 800°F, a pressure in the range from about 10 to 5000 psig, and a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) feed rate in the range from about 0.1 to 50 hr ¹ . In an embodiment, the dehydration catalyst may be selected from the group consisting of alumina and amorphous silica-alumina. In a sub-embodiment, the dehydration catalyst may comprise alumina doped with an element selected from the group consisting of phosphoras, boron, fluorine, zirconium, titanium, gallium, and combinations thereof. In another sub-embodiment, the dehydration catalyst may comprise amorphous silica - alumina doped with an element selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, zirconium, titanium, gallium, and combinations thereof.

With still further reference to Figure 2, olefin enrichment unit 100 may optionally further include one or more of an oxygenate extraction unit 104, an oxygenate adsorption unit 106, and a second distillation unit 108. In an embodiment, the treatment of an oxygenate containing hydrocarbon stream according to the present invention may optionally include the use of oxygenate extraction unit 104 for extracting or washing the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous medium, whereby residual oxygenates may be removed from the hydrocarbon stream exiting dehydration unit 102.

In an embodiment, an olefin enrichment process of the present invention may optionally- further include contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent in oxygenate adsorption unit 106, whereby residual oxygenates and/or water may be removed from the hydrocarbon stream. In a sub-embodiment, the adsorbent may comprise a molecular sieve, such as zeolite I3X. Zeolites and molecular sieves are well known in the art (see, for example, /col; te i Industrial Separati on a d Catalysis, By Santi Kulprathipanja, Pub. Wiley -VCH, 2010). In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon stream may be fed. to adsorption unit 106 from oxygenate extraction unit 104. Alternatively, oxygenate extraction unit 104 may be omitted or bypassed, and the hydrocarbon stream may be fed to adsorption unit 106 directly from dehydration unit 102.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, olefin enrichment unit 100 may optionally still further include a second distillation unit 108. As a non-limiting example, second, distillation unit 108 may be used to remove a heavy fraction from the hydrocarbon stream prior to ionic liquid, catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion of the olefin enriched hydrocarbon stream. The following examples are illustrative of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the invention in any way beyond what is contained in the claims which follow.

EXAMPLES Comparative Example A: Product Yield from a Conventional Integrated Fiseher- Tropsch Process with Hydroproprocessing

A typical Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process using C0/AI2O ₃ catalyst produces

approximately 50 vol% condensate ( ¼ - Ci g), of which about one half is light condensate (Cg-). A typical F-T derived, light condensate has a composition as shown in Table 1 :

Table 1. T ical composition of F-T derived, light condensate

t e o e n content o t e C ₂ .. ract on s g y epen ent on t e proportion of methane in the fraction

A hypothetical F-T plant with 100,000 barrel-per-day capacity with a hydrotreating unit to treat the condensate as described above and an extinction-recycle hvdrocrackmg unit to convert the F-T wax product into distillate provides product yields as shown in Table 2:

Table 2. Typical product yield from a conventional integrated Fischer- Tropsch pii

Example 1 : Product Yield from an Integrated Fiseher-Tropsch Process with Hydroproprocessing and Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Condensate Upgrading

(invention) An integrated Fiseher-Tropsch process is performed generally as for Comparative Example A, but with the inclusion of an olefin oligomerization unit for upgrading the light condensate fraction. The light condensate upgrading is performed in a continuously stirred tank reactor using ionic liquid catalyst with vigorous stirring in the presence of a small amount of anhydrous i-butyl chloride. The average residence time (combined volume of feed and catalyst) is about 15 minutes, the outlet pressure is maintained at about 200 psig, and the reactor temperature is about 100°F. The reactor effluent is separated using a coalescing separator into a hydrocarbon phase and an ionic liquid catalyst phase, SimDist analysis shows about 90% conversion of olefins in the light condensate feed to distillate boiling range product (250°F+).

By including an olefin oligomerization unit for upgrading the light condensate fraction according to the instant invention, the overall product yield is shifted as shown in Table 3. Table 3. Product yield from an integrated process of the present invention

† Product volume is calculated on the basis of 90% conversion of olefins in the light condensate feed to distillate boiling range product.

5 Processes of the invention decrease the LPG yield by 55% and decrease the naphtha yield by about 40%, as compared with a typical integrated F-T process of the prior art. LPG and naphtha are generally less desirable product streams derived from the F-T or CTL processes. By converting the less desirable light condensate to distillate according to processes of the invention, the total distillate yield increases by about 1 1 %. Due to the 0 density difference, the overall product volume decreases by about 2 vol%.

Certain features of the various embodiments may be combined with features of other embodiments to provide further embodiments of the present invention in addition to those embodiments specifically described or shown as such.

There are numerous variations on the present invention which are possible in light of the teachings described herein. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described or exemplified herein.

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