Transfer of acid catalyst

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An apparatus and a method are disclosed for transferring acid catalyst from a transport vehicle where liquid acid is carried under a relatively low vapor pressure level to a process vessel in an alkylation process where liquid acid is contained at a higher pressure level while, minimizing the loss of acid vapor to the environment. The acid transfer is accomplished without venting the process vessel by employing a relatively small volume pressure lock chamber between the transport vessel and the storage vessel. In a preferred embodiment the small volume pressure lock chamber also serves as a storage vessel for make-up acid which is added to the alkylation process as required.