PRODUCTION OF DIESEL FUEL FROM PETROLEUM REFORMATE VIA THE ARODIS PROCESS

A novel process is described for converting the light aromatics derive d from a petroleum reformate into distillate fuel. The process, ARODIS , involves two stages, hydroalkylation and hydrogenation. In the hydro alkylation stage, aromatics, particularly benzene and mono-substituted aromatics such as toluene and ethylbenzene, are converted with high s electivities to the corresponding alkylated aromatics. A by-product fr om the first stage is a gasoline fraction of octane number around 100 comprising unreactive aromatics originally in the reformate, and hydro genated forms of the more reactive aromatics: cyclohexane, methylcyclo hexane etc. In the second stage, the hydroalkylation product, nominall y boiling above 170 degrees C, is hydrogenated to yield a naphthenic d iesel fuel product of cetane number around 40, a cloud point below -50 degrees C, and low aromatic and sulfur contents. The major constituen ts of this product are bicyclohexyl and its substituted analogues, wit h smaller quantities of tricyclohexyls. A conceptual process flowsheet for the ARODIS process is described together with a view of how it mi ght be incorporated into a refinery.