Abstract: A separation arrangement for a cumene process that operates with a relatively wet feed to an alkylation zone and relatively dry feed to a transalkylation zone reduces utilities and capital expenses for the separation and recycle of distinct wet and dry components by using an arrangement that first separates effluent from the trans alkylation and alkylation reaction zone in a benzene column before performing light ends and drying in a downstream depropanizer column. The arrangement uses a portion of the net overhead stream from the benzene column as a wet recycle stream for return to the alkylation reaction zone and sends another portion of the benzene net overhead to the depropanizer to supply a dry benzene recycle for the trans alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for producing alkylaromatics using a multibed alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. The alkylation reaction zone effluent is divided into three portions, the first being recirculated to the inlet of the reaction zone, the second being cooled and recirculated to one or more other beds in the reaction zone, and the third being passed to a product recovery zone where the alkylaromatic is recovered. This process insures that all of the catalyst beds operate in an optimum temperature range. This in turn insures that byproduct formation is minimized and catalyst life is maximized. Ethylbenzene and cumene may be produced by this process.

Abstract: A separation arrangement for a cumene process that operates with a relatively wet feed to an alkylation zone and relatively dry feed to a transalkylation zone reduces utilities and capital expenses for the separation and recycle of distinct wet and dry components by using an arrangement that first separates effluent from the trans alkylation and alkylation reaction zone in a benzene column before performing light ends and drying in a downstream depropanizer column. The arrangement uses a portion of the net overhead stream from the benzene column as a wet recycle stream for return to the alkylation reaction zone and sends another portion of the benzene net overhead to the depropanizer to supply a dry benzene recycle for the trans alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons that operates with a high water content in an alkylation zone and a low water content in a transalkylation zone is disclosed. An aromatic feed and an acyclic feed are first passed through the alkylation reaction zone that operates at a high water content. A stripping column receives the effluent of the alkylation reaction zone, removes water and unreacted aromatic feed and produces a bottom stream containing unreacted aromatic feed and alkylated aromatics. A recycle column receives the bottom stream and produces an overhead stream of unreacted aromatic feed having a low water content. The overhead stream and a stream of polyalkylated aromatics are contacted in the transalkylation zone.