Patent ID: 7932426

Claim:
A process for the isomerization of a non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture, comprising: 1) contacting the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture in a C8 isomerization zone, wherein the C8 isomerization zone comprises: a) a first isomerization stage wherein at least a portion of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture is contacted at a first isomerization condition in a liquid phase in the substantial absence of hydrogen to obtain an intermediate stream; and b) a second isomerization stage wherein at least part of the intermediate stream and at least a part of a stream rich in at least one naphthene are contacted at a second isomerization condition to obtain a second isomerization stage effluent with a concentration of at least one alkylaromatic isomer that is higher than a concentration of that at least one alkylaromatic isomer in the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture.