Patent ID: 8450547
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the production of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene, comprising: catalytically dehydrogenating ethylbenzene in the presence of steam thereby catalytically producing a dehydrogenation effluent gas comprising unreacted ethylbenzene, styrene monomer, hydrogen, steam and divinylbenzene; quenching the dehydrogenation effluent gas with an aqueous reflux in at least one quenching column comprising a top and a lower end, to cool the dehydrogenation effluent gas, thereby producing a gaseous overhead stream and a liquid bottom stream, wherein the liquid bottom stream has a temperature greater than the aqueous reflux; condensing the gaseous overhead stream, thereby producing a liquid organic phase, a first aqueous phase and a gaseous phase; recycling at least a portion of the aqueous phase to the aqueous reflux; and sending the liquid bottom stream to a decanter to recover a second aqueous phase and an organic phase wherein the liquid bottom stream is first sent to a mixing tank prior to being sent to the decanter, wherein an effective amount of an aromatic component selected from the group consisting of ethylbenzene, benzene, toluene, and combinations thereof, is introduced into the mixing tank in an amount effective to cause the migration of organic heavies to the organic phase in the decanter.