Patent ID: 8766028
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for manufacture of substantially styrene-free C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons comprising: (a) providing a hydrocarbon feed containing C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons and styrene; (b) reacting majority of the styrene in the hydrocarbon feed with a C1-C3 alkyl alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst selective for etherification to produce an effluent comprising corresponding styrene ether; (c) separating the effluent by distillation to recover a liquid stream rich in the styrene ether and a volatiles stream rich in C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons, residual unreacted styrene and sulphur compounds; (d) hydrogenating the volatiles stream to form a product stream; and (e) separating substantially styrene-free C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons from the product stream.