Patent ID: 8729327
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
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, polymeric materials, and divinylbenzene; quenching the dehydrogenation effluent gas with an aqueous reflux in at least one quenching column comprising to cool the dehydrogenation effluent gas, thereby producing a gaseous overhead stream and a liquid bottom stream containing most of the divinylbenzene and polymeric materials in the dehydrogenation effluent gas, 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 first aqueous phase to the aqueous reflux; and sending the liquid bottom stream to a decanter to recover a second aqueous phase which is used is make the steam for the dehydrogenation step, and an organic phase; wherein the gaseous overhead stream and the liquid bottom stream exit the quenching column via separate lines.