US Patent 7176340 Continuous process for the alkylation of hydrocarbons

A continuous alkylation process performed in an apparatus comprising a series of at least two zone A reactors and a series of at least two zone B reactors, in which the zone A reactors and the zone B reactors cycle between alkylation mode and mild regeneration mode, and wherein the alkylation mode comprises introducing an alkylation agent into a first reactor of the zone through which the alkylatable compound passes, reacting a portion of the alkylatable compound with a portion of the alkylation agent to produce a product stream, and performing this operation at least once more in a downstream reactor in the same zone employing, instead of alkylatable compound, a stream comprising the product stream.