초록 ▼

A unified process for reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and cumene with straight chain C6-C18olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of the distillation column. The process is continuous, using a

A unified process for reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and cumene with straight chain C6-C18olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of the distillation column. The process is continuous, using a reactive distillation configuration such that at least a portion of the olefin is injected below the benzene rectification zone at the top of the column. The aromatic hydrocarbon is injected continuously at a low rate above the rectification zone at the base of the column and above the reboiler. The alkylation reaction takes place primarily in the liquid phase on the solid acid catalyst and is characterized in that the molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to olefin in the liquid phase may be adjusted. The molar ratio is adjustable up to about 100/1, through adjustment of the internal column operating pressure, the benzene reflux rate, the amount of benzene removed from the reflux condenser to storage or from the reboiler with the distillation column operated at or near total aromatic hydrocarbon reflux. The unexpectedly high liquid phase aromatic hydrocarbon to olefin molar ratios achieved in the reactive distillation column increases the selectivity to mono-alkylated aromatics and helps stabilize catalyst lifetime.

대표청구항 ▼

A unified process for reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and cumene with straight chain C6-C18olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of the distillation column. The process is continuous, using a

A unified process for reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and cumene with straight chain C6-C18olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of the distillation column. The process is continuous, using a reactive distillation configuration such that at least a portion of the olefin is injected below the benzene rectification zone at the top of the column. The aromatic hydrocarbon is injected continuously at a low rate above the rectification zone at the base of the column and above the reboiler. The alkylation reaction takes place primarily in the liquid phase on the solid acid catalyst and is characterized in that the molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to olefin in the liquid phase may be adjusted. The molar ratio is adjustable up to about 100/1, through adjustment of the internal column operating pressure, the benzene reflux rate, the amount of benzene removed from the reflux condenser to storage or from the reboiler with the distillation column operated at or near total aromatic hydrocarbon reflux. The unexpectedly high liquid phase aromatic hydrocarbon to olefin molar ratios achieved in the reactive distillation column increases the selectivity to mono-alkylated aromatics and helps stabilize catalyst lifetime. e; introducing an aromatic compound having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms at a point between said catalyst zone and a lower rectification zone; refluxing said aromatic compound upwardly through said catalyst zone to react, in the liquid phase, with descending olefin feedstock in said catalyst zone to produce alkylated aromatic compounds, the internal pressure in said catalyst zone being above about 1 atmosphere; separating said aromatic compound from said olefin feedstock and alkylated aromatic compounds in said lower rectification zone; refluxing and separating said aromatic compound in said upper rectification zone; and recovering an alkylated aromatic product mixture comprising alkylated aromatic compounds unreacted olefin feedstock and by-product as a bottom stream from said lower rectification zone. 10. The process of claim 9, wherein said olefin-containing feedstock comprises C6-C18olefins. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein said olefin-containing feedstock comprises a C6-C18olefin/paraffin mixture. 12. The process of claim 8, wherein said lower rectification zone includes a reboiler. 13. The process of claim 9, wherein said bottoms stream is recovered from said reboiler. 14. The process of claim 13, wherein the temperature in said reboiler is stabilized below a temperature at which thermal degradation of said alkylated aromatic compounds occurs. 15. The process of claim 9, wherein said catalyst zone contains a supported, solid acid catalyst. 16. The process of claim 9, wherein the pressure, as measured below the catalyst zone is between about 20 and about 200 psig. 17. The process of claim 9, wherein the molar ratio of aromatic compound to olefin in said liquid phase is between about 20/1 to about 100/1. 18. The process of claim 9, wherein the introduction of said aromatic compound is maintained at a feed rate which is between about 1/6 to about 1/2 the feed rate of the olefin present in the olefin feedstock.