| abstract |
Systems and methods are provided for forming alkylate from an isoparaffin-containing feed. Olefins for the alkylation reaction can be generated from a portion of the isoparaffin-containing feed. This can be achieved, for example, by using selective oxidation to convert a portion of isoparaffins into alcohol, such as conversion of isobutane to t-butyl alcohol. The alcohol can then be converted to an alkene, such as conversion of t-butyl alcohol to isobutene, in the alkylation reaction environment in the presence of a solid acid catalyst. The solid acid catalyst can then facilitate alkylation of isoparaffin using the in-situ formed alkenes. A catalyst having an MWW framework is an example of a suitable solid acid catalyst. |