Ethylbenzene production process with ex situ selectivated zeolite catalyst

摘要

A process for ethylbenzene production that involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream including benzene and ethylene, under alkylation conditions, with a catalytic molecular sieve which has been modified by being ex situ selectivated with a silicon compound. The ex situ selectivation involves exposing the molecular sieve to at least two selectivation sequences, each selectivation sequence comprising contacting the catalyst with a silicon compound followed by calcination. The modified catalyst used in the process may also be steamed. Optionally, the modified catalyst may be trim-selectivated.