Hexane conversion

Claim 2

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein C6 alkanes are disproportionated in accordance with step (c) to obtain normal pentane, C7 hydrocarbons, and normal butane, and wherein the normal butane is disproportionated in a C4 disproportionation zone to obtain at least normal pentane and propane, and wherein at least a portion of the normal pentane obtained by normal butane disproportionation is isomerized in the isomerization zone.

Claim 3

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein common fractionation facilities are used at least in part for effluent hydrocarbons from the isomerization zone and effluent hydrocarbons from the C6 disproportionation zone.

Claim 4

A process in accordance with claim 4 wherein the same fractionation column is used for the fractionation of normal pentane from C6 alkanes present as a mixture in effluent hydrocarbons from both the isomerization zone and the C6 disproportionation zone.

Claim 5

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the C6-rich hydrocarbon stream fed to the isomerization zone is a straight run fraction obtained by fractionating a C6-rich cut from crude oil.

Claim 6

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the catalyst used in the isomerization zone is substantially free of halogenated aluminum.

Claim 7

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the isomerization catalyst comprises palladium or platinum and a crystalline aluminosilicate material.

Claim 8

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the isomerization catalyst comprises 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent palladium and 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent chromium on a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate material.

Claim 9

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the disproportionation reaction is carried out at a temperature between 400* and 850*F. using a catalyst comprising a noble metal on a refractory support and a Group VIB metal compound on a refractory support.

Claim 10

A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the disproportionation reaction comprises contacting the C6 alkanes with a catalytic mass comprising platinum on alumina and tungsten or tungsten oxide on silica at a temperature between about 650* and 850*F. and a pressure between about 100 psia and 1500 psia.

Claim 11

A process in accordance with claim 11 wherein the olefin concentration in the disproportionation reaction zone is maintained below about 5 volume percent.

Claim 12

A process for producing isopentane from C6 hydrocarbons which comprises: a. isomerizing a C6-rich hydrocarbon stream containing between 5 and 500 ppm organic sulfur compounds in an isomerization zone by contacting the C6-rich hydrocarbons with a sulfactive isomerization catalyst at a hydrogen partial pressure between about 100 and 1500 psig and a temperature between about 200*F. and 800*F. to obtain a C6-rich effluEnt stream containing less than 1 ppm sulfur present as organic sulfur compounds, b. disproportionating at least a portion of the C6-rich effluent stream by contacting the C6 hydrocarbons with a catalyst comprising platinum on a refractory support and a Group VIB metal or metal oxide on a refractory support at a temperature between 400* and 850*F. to obtain a hydrocarbon stream comprising normal butane, normal pentane and C7 hydrocarbons, c. disproportionating at least a portion of the normal butane in the effluent from C6 disproportionation by contacting the normal butane with a catalyst comprising platinum on a refractory support and a Group VIB metal or metal oxide on a refractory support at a temperature between 400* and 850*F. to obtain a stream containing propane and normal pentane, and d. isomerizing at least a portion of the normal pentane from the C6 disproportionation and at least a portion of the normal pentane from the C4 disproportionation in the isomerization zone to obtain isopentane.

Claim 13

A process in accordance with claim 13 wherein common fractionation facilities are used at least in part for the isomerization zone and the C6 disproportionation zone and the C4 disproportionation zone.