ISOMERIZATION OF N-HEPTANE IN NAPHTHA CUTS

摘要

A process for the isomerization of normal heptane contained within a naphtha stream, such as a C6-C8 naphtha, in which the naphtha stream is fractionated into a fraction substantially free of normal heptane and a fraction containing normal heptane. The fraction containing normal heptane is contacted with an isomerization catalyst in an isomerization zone operated as a singe pass fixed bed reactor having a single effluent to isomerize a portion of said normal heptane to branched heptane. The effluent is recovered from said isomerization zone and the effluent is fractionated to recover said branched heptane. The unconverted normal heptane is recovered and returned to the isomerization since it can be separated from the branded heptanes by fractionation.