Dehydrogenation of an alkyl aromatic compound and catalyst regeneration in a fluidized bed reactor

摘要

A process of preparing a vinyl aromatic compound, such as styrene. The process involves fluidizing a dehydrogenation catalyst in a single shell fluidized bed reactor containing a reaction zone and a regeneration zone; contacting an alkyl aromatic compound, such as ethylbenzene, with the dehydrogenation catalyst in the dehydrogenation zone so as to produce the vinyl aromatic compound, such as styrene; and regenerating the catalyst in situ by contacting steam with the deactivated catalyst in the regeneration zone. A fluidized bed reactor is described, characterized by a freeboard zone, a reaction zone, and a catalyst regeneration zone, all within a single shell.