Abstract: A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting benzene and a C3 alkylating agent under alkylation conditions with an alkylation catalyst in an alkylation zone to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene and alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene. Cumene is recovered from the alkylation effluent to leave a byproduct stream containing the alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene, which is separated into a polyisopropylbenzene-containing stream, an aromatic overhead stream, and a bottoms product. At least part of the aromatic overhead stream is recycled to the alkylation zone to reduce raw material consumption and improve cumene yield.

Abstract: A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting benzene and a C3 alkylating agent under alkylation conditions with an alkylation catalyst in an alkylation zone to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene and alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene. Cumene is recovered from the alkylation effluent to leave a byproduct stream containing the alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene, which is separated into a polyisopropylbenzene-containing stream, an aromatic overhead stream, and a bottoms product. At least part of the aromatic overhead stream is recycled to the alkylation zone to reduce raw material consumption and improve cumene yield.

Abstract: A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting a feed stream comprising benzene and a further feed stream comprising isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and propylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst comprising at least a molecular sieve of the MCM-22, family in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions of at least partial liquid phase and with a water concentration in the liquid phase of at least 50 ppm to react at least part of said isopropanol and benzene to produce an effluent stream containing cumene.

Abstract: In a process for producing cumene from acetone and benzene, a feed stream comprising acetone is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a first reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions sufficient to convert at least part of the acetone to isopropanol and produce a first liquid effluent stream rich in isopropanol and a first vapor stream rich in unreacted hydrogen. Benzene is then added to at least part of the first liquid effluent stream, without intermediate purification of the first liquid effluent stream, and optionally to at least part of the first vapor stream, to form a second feed stream.

Abstract: A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting a feed stream comprising benzene and a further feed stream comprising isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and propylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst comprising at least a molecular sieve of the MCM-22 family in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions of at least partial liquid phase and with a water concentration in the liquid phase of at least 50 ppm to react at least part of said isopropanol and benzene to produce an effluent stream containing cumene.

Abstract: Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.