Isomerization – continued.

The figure provided here illustrates the schematic diagram for a butane isomerization process.

In the figure, the incoming feed consists of butanes on the left hand side.

The feed (normal butane) is routed to a distillation column (de-isobutanizer) in which isobutane is removed and leaves the column as the overhead product.

The bottoms product of the de-isobutanizer is routed to another column (debutanizer). In this column, butanes are separated from impurities. Butanes rise to the top. Butane, thus obtained mix with high pressure hydrogen provided by the compressor A.

Stream C indicates organic chlorides makeup (chlorides are necessary for this process). Butane and hydrogen mixture is routed to a furnace for heating and then injected at the top of the reactor D.