Feedstock hydrogenation improves alkylation unit performance

The benefits of selective hydrogenation of a feedstock to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit have been previously cited for a commercial operation at Charter International Corp., Houston, Texas. The process producing these benefits, the Engelhard HPN IVB selective hydrogenation process, was shown to provide as follows: 1. Reduction in sulfuric acid consumption from 1.2 lb/gal. to 0.46 lb/gal as a result of butadiene removal. 2. An increase in alkylate octane number from 93.7 RON to 94.3 RON clear, attributed to isomerization of butene -1 to butene -2 as well as a reduction in the production of low octane polymer in the alkylate. 3. A decrease in alkylate end point from 465/sup 0/F to 415/sup 0/F attributed to removal of the polymer or heavy ends precursor butadiene. 4. An increase in throughput corresponding to an increase in alkylate production of 700 bpd was also realized as the result of a combination of factors.