Process and apparatus for para-xylene production using multiple adsorptive separation units and multiple adsorptive bed feed points

A process for separating para-xylene from a plurality of aromatic compounds, the process comprising:

• introducing throughout a first step-time interval a first mixed xylene stream comprising a plurality of xylene isomers into a first feed input on a first adsorptive separation unit comprising a plurality of bed lines, wherein said first adsorptive separation unit comprises a purification zone;
• introducing throughout said first step-time interval a second mixed xylene stream comprising a plurality of xylene isomers into a second feed input on said first adsorptive separation unit;
• during a first portion of said first said step-time interval, introducing material from a feed stream used during said first step-time interval into a bed line not used to deliver a stream into, or to withdraw a stream from, said first adsorptive separation unit during said first step time interval;
• and
• during a second portion of said first said step-time interval, introducing material from said purification zone into said feed stream used during said first step-time interval.