Method and apparatus for separating alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon

An apparatus for separating an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon comprising:

• an acid-base extraction column;
• and a complex exchange column,
• wherein the acid-base extraction column comprises:
• a pipe for feeding a mixture comprising an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and one or more isomers thereof;
• a pipe for feeding a first diluent;
• a pipe for feeding a complex solution of an eliminating agent and a superacid withdrawn from a column bottom of the complex exchange column;
• a pipe for discharging the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon as a complex solution of the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the superacid from a column bottom of the acid-base extraction column;
• and a pipe for discharging a mixed liquid comprising the eliminating agent separated by the complex exchange, unextracted extraction residual isomers, and the diluent from a column top of the acid-base extraction column, and
• wherein the complex exchange column comprises:
• a pipe for feeding the complex solution of the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the superacid discharged from the column bottom of the acid-base extraction column;
• a pipe for feeding a second diluent and the eliminating agent;
• a pipe for discharging a mixed liquid comprising the extracted alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, the eliminating agent and the diluent from a column top of the complex exchange column;
• and a pipe for discharging a complex solution of the eliminating agent and the superacid after the complex exchange has been carried out from the column bottom of the complex exchange column.