Low pressure xylene isomerization

In a process for manufacture of p-xylene from a mixture of eight carbon atom aromatic hydrocarbons containing ethyl benzene and the three xylene isomers by adding said mixture to a cyclic stream of hydrocarbons in a processing loop which includes a recovery stage for removal of p-xylene from the stream followed in turn by an isomerization stage for low pressure catalytic isomerization of xylenes, a distillation stage for removal of compounds boiling above and below the boiling range of eight carbon atom aromatic compounds and return of the eight carbon atom hydrocarbon stream derived from said distillation to said recovery stage;

• the improvement resulting in prolonged on-stream periods of the process between catalyst regenerations which comprises adding said mixture to said loop substantially free of peroxide, conducting the said isomerization stage in the presence of a catalyst having activity for isomerization of xylenes and for conversion of ethyl benzene to higher and/or lower boiling hydrocarbons consisting essentially of an aluminosilicate crystalline zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index of 1 to 12 at a partial pressure of said eight carbon atom alkyl aromatic compounds below about 100 pounds per square inch, a temperature range between about 500.degree. F. and about 800.degree. F. and a space velocity of 3 to 13 pounds of said eight carbon atom aromatic compounds per pound of said zeolite per hour, initiating the isomerization at a temperature in the lower portion of said range at conditions of temperature, pressure and space velocity to convert ethyl benzene at a rate to maintain ethyl benzene concentration in the loop approximately equal to that in said mixture, observing ethyl benzene in said loop and increasing temperature in said isomerization stage within said range during the process to maintain ethyl benzene conversion at a rate to maintain ethyl benzene concentration in the loop approximately equal to that in said mixture.