Selective aromatics isomerization process
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorsJames E Rekoske, Patrick C Whitchurch, Robert B Larson
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Abstract
This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.
Claims3
A process for the isomerization of a non-equilibrium C8-aromatic feedstock comprising contacting the feedstock with a catalyst comprising an MFI zeolitic aluminosilicate having a median particle size between 1.2 to 1.7 microns, a platinum-group metal component, and an aluminum phosphate binder in an isomerization zone at isomerization conditions comprising a temperature of from about 320° C. to 500° C., a pressure of less than about 500 kPa, and a mass hourly space velocity of from about 5 to 50 hr−1 in the presence of a critical added amount of hydrogen on a once-through basis in a molar ratio relative to the feedstock of from about 0.05 to 0.1 to obtain an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of para-xylene than in the feedstock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.