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 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.