Processes for isomerizing alpha olefins
Processes are described for isomerizing one or more C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins to produce an isomerization mixture comprising one or more C 4 -C 24 internal olefins comprising contacting an olefinic feed comprising the one or more C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins with a catalyst under isomerization conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof, and wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 molar ratio of less than or equal to about 100. The resulting isomerization mixture typically exhibits a lower pour point and maintained biodegradability properties as compared to the olefinic feed, and is particularly useful in drilling fluid and paper sizing compositions.
1. A process for isomerizing one or more C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins to produce an isomerization mixture comprising one or more C 4 -C 24 internal olefins, the process comprising contacting an olefinic feed comprising the one or more C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins with a catalyst under isomerization conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof, and wherein microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 molar ratio of less than or equal to about 100 and greater than or equal to 40, and wherein the olefinic feed is supplied at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) from 2 h −1 to 50 h −1 .
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 molar ratio within the range from about 20 to about 90.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate is selected from the group consisting of ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
4. The process of claim 3 , wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate is selected from the group consisting of ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst further comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of clay, inorganic oxides, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
6. The process of claim 5 , wherein the catalyst is free or substantially free of noble metals and/or transition metals.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the olefinic feed has an average carbon number of greater than or equal to 14.
8. The process of claim 1 , further comprising passing the olefinic feed through a guard bed prior to contacting with the catalyst.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the olefinic feed comprises C 16 alpha olefins at a concentration of at least 40 wt % based on the total weight of the olefinic feed.
10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the olefinic feed comprises C 16 alpha olefins at a concentration of at least 65 wt % based on the total weight of the olefinic feed, and wherein the olefinic feed comprises C 18 alpha olefins at a concentration of at most 35 wt % based on the total weight of the olefinic feed.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isomerization conditions comprise a temperature from 50° C. to 200° C.
12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the temperature ranges from 100° C. to 180° C.
13. The process of claim 1 , wherein the WHSV of the olefinic feed ranges from 2 h −1 to 20 h −1 .
14. The process of claim 1 , wherein the rate of conversion of the C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins to the C 4 -C 24 internal olefins is at least 40%.
15. The process of claim 14 , wherein the rate of conversion of the C 4 -C 24 alpha olefins to the C 4 -C 24 internal olefins is at least about 75%.
16. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises linear internal olefins at a concentration of 40 wt % or more based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
17. The process of claim 16 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises linear internal olefins at a concentration of 60 wt % or more based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
18. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises branched olefins at a concentration of 35 wt % or less based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
19. The process of claim 18 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises branched olefins at a concentration ranging from 5 wt % to 35 wt % based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
20. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises linear alpha olefins at a concentration of less than 35 wt % based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
21. The process of claim 20 , wherein the isomerization mixture comprises linear alpha olefins at a concentration of less than 10 wt % based on the total weight of the isomerization mixture.
22. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isomerization mixture has a pour point of −6° C. or less.
23. A drilling fluid comprising the isomerization mixture produced by claim 1 .
24. A paper sizing composition comprising the isomerization mixture produced by claim 1 .
25. The process of claim 1 , wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 molar ratio within the range of 45 to 90.