Abstract:
Isobutane is alkylated with ethylene in the presence of HCl promoted aluminum chloride alkylation catalyst; ethyl chloride is a by-product formed and recovered from the hydrocarbon effluent in a normal butane - ethyl chloride fraction. The normal-butaneethyl chloride fraction is pyrolyzed at 400*-1,000* F with bauxite catalyst to form ethylene, hydrogen chloride along with normal butane; the normal butane is separated from the mixture, by condensation, and the remaining vapor stream of ethylene and hydrogen fluoride is recycled to the alkylation reaction.