Alkylaromatic process with removal of aromatic byproducts using efficient distillation

摘要

A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons by alkylating aromatic hydrocarbons with olefinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The olefinic hydrocarbons are produced by dehydrogenating paraffinic hydrocarbons. Aromatic byproducts formed in dehydrogenation are removed using an aromatic byproducts removal zone and either a dividing wall distillation column or thermally coupled distillation columns. The process significantly decreases the cost of utilities in producing alkylaromatics, such as precursors for detergent manufacture.