Improved methods for conducting solid acid-catalyzed, near- or supercritical
heterogeneous chemical reactions (e.g., alkylation reactions) are provided which
give enhanced product yields and permit longer processing runs. The preferred reactions
of the invention are carried out in the presence of a solid macroporous catalyst
having a surface area of from about 50-400 m2/g and a pore size of from
about 70-150 . Product selectivity is enhanced by pressure-tuning of the
reaction to promote production and separation of desired reaction products. In
continuous processing, the chemical reaction may be interrupted before significant
catalyst deactivation, followed by increasing reactor pressure and/or reducing
reactor temperature to remove the accumulating coke; when the catalyst is regenerated,
the original reaction conditions and reactant introduction may be resumed.
