Process for Producing Cyclohexylbenzene

摘要

In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, hydrogen and benzene are introduced to a first hydroalkylation reaction zone which contains a hydroalkylation catalyst and which is operated under at least partly liquid phase conditions sufficient to effect hydroalkylation of benzene to produce a mixed liquid/vapor phase effluent comprising cyclohexylbenzene and unreacted benzene, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted benzene is in the vapor phase. At least a portion of the effluent is cooled to condense a liquid phase stream containing at least some of the cyclohexylbenzene in the effluent portion and leave a residual stream containing at least some of the unreacted benzene and cyclohexylbenzene. At least a portion of the liquid stream is recycled to the first hydroalkylation reaction zone or to contact the mixed phase effluent exiting the first hydroalkylation reaction zone. Other methods of cooling the reaction effluent are disclosed.

主权项

1. A process for producing cyclohexylbenzene comprising:
(a) introducing hydrogen and benzene to a first hydroalkylation reaction zone containing a hydroalkylation catalyst; (b) operating said first hydroalkylation reaction zone under at least partly liquid phase conditions sufficient to effect hydroalkylation of at least a portion of the benzene in the presence of said hydroalkylation catalyst to produce a first mixture exiting the first reaction zone comprising a liquid phase and a vapor phase; (c) separating the first mixture into a first liquid effluent comprising cyclohexylbenzene and a portion of unreacted benzene and a first vapor effluent comprising a portion of the unreacted benzene; (d) cooling at least a portion of the first vapor effluent to obtain a second liquid effluent containing at least a portion of the unreacted benzene; and (e) recycling at least a portion of the second liquid phase stream to the first hydroalkylation reaction zone or to contact the first mixture or to mix with the first liquid effluent.