Catalytic reduction of phenylacetylene in a styrene stream
AssigneeFina Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames Roy Butler, Kevin Peter Kelly
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Abstract
Processes and apparatus are disclosed for the catalytic purification of styrene monomer by hydrogenating the phenylacetylene contaminant therein to styrene in a catalytic bed using multiple hydrogen injection; dilution of the hydrogen by a diluent such as nitrogen; mixing the hydrogen with a catalyst-selectivity improver such as carbon monoxide; using ethylbenzene dehydrogenation ventgas to supply hydrogen; and, using a multiple-catalyst-bed-reactor, or multiple reactors, each with a single catalyst bed. One preferred phenylacetylene reduction catalyst used is palladium on an alumina carrier.
Claims4
A system for the selective reduction of phenylacetylene to styrene in a styrene stream contaminated with phenylacetylene, said system comprising:
- a single reactor vessel having a flow inlet at one end and a flow outlet at the other end;
- a first reduction catalyst bed in said reactor vessel near the flow inlet;
- a hydrogen injector upstream of said first catalyst bed arranged to inject hydrogen into said styrene stream;
- a second reduction catalyst bed in said reactor vessel downstream from said first catalyst bed and near said flow outlet;
- and,
- a second hydrogen injector in said reactor vessel between said two catalyst beds.
A system for the reduction of phenylacetylene in styrene, said system comprising:
- a first reactor vessel having a flow inlet, a flow outlet, and a reduction catalyst bed therein;
- a second reactor vessel having a flow inlet communicating with the flow outlet of said first vessel, and further having a reduction catalyst bed therein;
- a first hydrogen injector for injecting hydrogen into said first reactor vessel upstream of said catalyst bed therein;
- a second hydrogen injector for injecting hydrogen into said second reactor vessel upstream of said catalyst bed therein;
- and
- a diluent injector associated with at least one of said hydrogen injectors and arranged to add a diluent gas to said hydrogen prior to injection into said vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.