Xylene isomerization process and apparatus

A process for the isomerization of a non-equilibrium feed mixture of xylenes comprising:

• adding to the feed mixture, a stream consisting essentially of benzene to provide a feed stream;
• contacting in the presence of hydrogen the feed stream with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of:
• a) a catalyst comprising a 46 micron to 60 micron active layer of MFI zeolite and zirconia or titania on an inert alpha alumina core and the catalyst further comprising a hydrogenation component selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, molybdenum, and rhenium;
• b) a catalyst comprising a MFI zeolite and silica support and a hydrogenation component selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, molybdenum, and rhenium;
• and
• c) mixtures thereof,
• under isomerization conditions to isomerize the xylenes and provide a product stream having a redistributed xylenes ratio, wherein the stream consisting essentially of benzene is added in an amount resulting in the feed stream comprising from about 0.5 to about 25 mass percent benzene.