Patent ID: 6252126
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B01D,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for producing ethylbenzene comprising:operating an isothermal ethylation section of a reactor vessel in a steady state mode, the isothermal ethylation section comprising catalytic media, the reactor vessel further comprising a benzene stripping section, where the stoichiometric excess, unreacted benzene is thermally stripped from the products, whereby integrated vapor and liquid traffic is maintained between the ethylation section and the benzene stripping section;providing a vapor phase dilute ethylene feed stream entering the reactor vessel comprising hydrogen, methane, and ethylene in a concentration of from about 3 to 50 mol % based on the total concentration of the ethylene feed stream;providing a benzene feed stream entering the reactor vessel comprising benzene and at least one non-aromatic compound wherein the concentration of benzene in the benzene feed stream is from about 75% to about 100% by weight, based on the total weight of benzene and non-aromatic compounds, and wherein the amount of benzene in the ethylation section results in stoichiometric excess of benzene relative to ethylene; andreacting the ethylene with the benzene to produce a product stream containing ethylbenzene and an overhead gas comprising hydrogen, methane, unreacted ethylene, ethylbenzene and benzene exiting the ethylation section of the reactor vessel, wherein the ethylation reaction occurs at a temperature at least 10.degree. C. below the boiling point of benzene at the pressure at which the reaction is maintained;wherein the isothermal ethylation section comprises a tubular structure and maintains a substantially constant reaction temperature in the catalytic media during the reaction of ethylene with benzene by simultaneous removal of heat from the catalytic reaction media via heat transfer across the surface of the tubular structure.