Recovery of cumene from a mixture thereof with phenol and water

摘要

A process is disclosed for the recovery of a phenol-free cumene fraction from a mixture thereof with phenol and water. Said mixture is introduced into a first fractionation column at conditions to separate a bottom fraction comprising a major portion of said phenol and an overhead fraction comprising said cumene and water and a residual portion of said phenol. The overhead fraction is condensed to form an aqueous phase containing a minor portion of the residual phenol and a water-saturated organic phase comprising cumene and the balance of said residual phenol. The water-saturated organic phase is then further treated in a second fractionation column whereby cumene is recovered as an overhead fraction substantially free of phenol.