XYLENE ISOMERIZATION

摘要

A PROCESS IS DESCRIBED FOR ISOMERIZING A FEED WHICH CONTAINS ETHYLBENZENE AND XYLENE, WHICH PROCESS COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: (A) CONTACTING THE FEED UNDER ETHYLBENZENE CONVERSION CONDITIONS WITH A PARTICULATE FIRST CATALYST COMPONENT WHICH COMPRISES A MOLECULAR SIEVE HAVING A CONSTRAINT INDEX OF 1-12, THE PARTICLES OF SAID FIRST CATALYST COMPONENT HAVING A SURFACE TO VOLUME RATIO OF ABOUT 203.2 TO LESS THAN 508CM-1 (ABOUT 80 TO LESS THAN 200 INCH-1) AND THE CONTACTING STEP CONVERTING ETHYLBENZENE IN THE FEED TO FORM AN ETHYLBENZENE-DEPLETED PRODUCT; AND THEN (B) CONTACTING THE ETHYLBENZENE-DEPLETED PRODUCT UNDER XYLENE ISOMERIZATION CONDITIONS WITH A SECOND CATALYST COMPONENT.