Process for producing cumene

摘要

In a process for producing cumene, isopropanol containing nitrogenous impurities is reacted with benzene in an alkylation reactor to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene, unreacted benzene and water. Water is removed from the effluent stream and an aliquot of the resultant dried effluent stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities and produce a purified recycle stream. At least part of the purified recycle stream is then recycled to the alkylation reactor. In an alternative embodiment, the isopropanol is combined with fresh and/or recycled benzene and the combined stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities before being fed to the alkylation reactor.

主权项

1. A process for producing cumene, the process comprising:
(a) contacting benzene with a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol, and optionally propylene, under alkylation conditions such that at least part of said C3 alkylating agent reacts with the benzene to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene, unreacted benzene and water; (b) recovering cumene from said alkylation effluent; (c) removing water from said alkylation effluent to form a dried effluent stream; (d) treating an aliquot of the dried effluent stream to remove nitrogenous impurities therefrom and produce a purified recycle stream; and (e) recycling at least part of the purified recycle stream to said contacting (a).