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US 5,198,102 AGranted
Benzene removal from a heartcut fraction of gasoline boiling range streams
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorsBal K. Kaul, Joseph T. O'Bara, David W. Savage, J. Patrick Dennis
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Abstract
A method for selectively separating benzene from gasoline boiling range streams by first fractionating the stream to produce a C.sub.6 heartcut fraction which is then passed to an adsorption zone comprised of a bed of solid adsorbent material capable of selectively removing benzene from the stream. The absorbent is regenerated with a suitable desorbent, preferably toluene.
Claims16
A process for selectively separating benzene from gasoline boiling range process streams to produce substantially benzene free motor gasoline, the process comprising:
- (a) fractionating a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous process stream such that one of the fractions is a heartcut fraction, having an average boiling point from about 120.degree. F. to about 190.degree. F., and which contains a higher concentration of benzene than the original stream or any of the other fractions;
- (b) passing said heartcut fraction to an adsorption zone containing a solid adsorbent comprised of a cation- exchanged zeolite having;
- (i) silicon to aluminum ratio of less than about 10;
- (ii) an average pore diameter greater than the size of the benzene molecule;
- and (iii) a selectivity for benzene over toluene;
- (c) passing a desorbent having a boiling point at least 10.degree. F. different from the boiling point of benzene through the bed of benzene-containing adsorbent in the adsorption zone, thereby desorbing benzene from the adsorbent;
- (d) passing the benzene-containing desorbate to a separation zone to separate benzene from the desorbent, thereby resulting in a benzene rich stream and a desorbent stream;
- and
- (e) recycling the desorbent stream back to the adsorption zone.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.