US 2010/0305378 A1 · Aromatic Alkylation Process

Abstract

The present invention is for a process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds, with a shape-selective zeolite catalyst. The process has reactors in series with C8+ aromatics being separated from the product stream effluents from each reactor before passing the reactor effluent to the next reactor with an additional input of methanol. The C8+ aromatics are separated into para-xylene and other C8+ aromatics. This process is applicable for toluene methylation having a molar excess of toluene:methanol. i.e., greater than 1:1, with a shape-selective catalyst of an aluminosilicate zeolite, such as ZSM-5 which has been modified with phosphorus, to produce para-xylene (p-xylene).

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of alkylation of an aromatic in a series of reactors comprising:

a) contacting in a first reactor an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation in the presence of a shape-selective zeolite catalyst;
b) withdrawing a product stream from the first reactor;
c) separating a stream comprising at least 50% of all C8+ aromatics produced in the first reactor from the product stream from the first reactor;
d) introducing additional alkylating agent and the remaining product stream from the first reactor to a second reactor;
e) withdrawing a product stream from a last reactor;
and
f) separating para-xylene from the product stream of the last reactor and the separated steam(s) comprising at least 50% of all C8+ aromatics produced in the reactor(s).

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aromatic Alkylation Process

Life of this patent

Aromatic Alkylation Process

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17