Abstract: A process for reducing the benzene content of gasoline stream, such as a reformate or light naphtha, comprises alkylating the gasoline stream in a reaction zone with an olefin alkylating agent. A paraffinic stream comprising C5 to ClO paraffins is fed to the inlet of the alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing cumene and purifying isopropanol is described, in which a crude isopropanol stream containing in excess of 0.1 wt % water is separated into a dry isopropanol fraction containing no more than 0.1 wt % water and a wet isopropanol fraction containing the remainder of the water in said crude isopropanol stream. The dry isopropanol fraction is recovered and the wet isopropanol fraction is contacted with benzene in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions such that at least part of the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene.

Abstract: A process is described for alkylating benzene contained in a refinery gasoline stream, in which the refinery gasoline stream is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising one or more C2 to C5 olefins in an alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylated effluent. The alkylation reaction zone comprises at least a first alkylation reaction stage and a second alkylation reaction stage and a portion of said alkylating agent is fed to each of said first and second alkylation reaction stages so that, although the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic to alkylating agent in the total feed to the alkylation reaction zone is less than 1, the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic to alkylating agent at the inlet of each of the first and second alkylation reaction stages is at least 1.0.

Abstract: In a process for producing cumene, benzene and a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol are supplied to an alkylation zone comprising a molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under alkylation conditions such that the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce a reaction product comprising cumene. Subsequently, the supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is ceased and a gaseous stripping agent is supplied to the molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to remove nitrogenous impurities deposited on the catalyst during the preceding alkylation reaction. The supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is then reinitiated.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, benzene is contacted with a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol under alkylation conditions such that at least part of the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce cumene. At least part of the resultant cumene is then oxidized in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an oxidation effluent comprising cumene hydroperoxide, unreacted cumene and a spent oxidizing gas. The unreacted cumene is separated from the oxidation effluent and is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities therefrom and produce a purified cumene stream, which is recycled to the oxidization step. At least part of the cumene hydroperoxide from the oxidation effluent is cleaved to produce a cleavage effluent comprising phenol and acetone. The phenol is recovered phenol from the cleavage effluent, whereas at least part of the acetone from the cleavage effluent is hydrogenated to produce isopropanol for recycle to the alkylation step.

Abstract: In a process for producing cumene, isopropanol containing nitrogenous impurities is reacted with benzene in an alkylation reactor to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene, unreacted benzene and water. Water is removed from the effluent stream and an aliquot of the resultant dried effluent stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities and produce a purified recycle stream. At least part of the purified recycle stream is then recycled to the alkylation reactor. In an alternative embodiment, the isopropanol is combined with fresh and/or recycled benzene and the combined stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities before being fed to the alkylation reactor.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for alkylating benzene contained in a benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream also comprising at least 0.1 wt % of at least one C6 to C8 olefin. In the process, the refinery gasoline stream is contacted under alkylation conditions with an alkylating agent selected from one or more C2 to C5 olefins in at least a first alkylation reaction zone and a second alkylation reaction zone connected in series to produce an alkylated effluent, which has reduced benzene content as compared with said refinery gasoline stream. All of the refinery gasoline stream is introduced into the first alkylation reaction stage, whereas an aliquot of the alkylated effluent is recycled and introduced to the second, but not the first, alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for alkylating benzene contained in a benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream, the benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream is contacted with an alkylating agent selected from one or more C2 to C5 olefins in at least one alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylated effluent which has reduced benzene content as compared with said refinery gasoline stream and is essentially free of said alkylating agent. An aliquot of the alkylated effluent is then recycled to the one at least one alkylation reaction zone such that the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic compounds to said alkylating agent in the combined refinery gasoline and recycle streams introduced into the at least one alkylation reaction zone is at least 1.0:1.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing cumene and purifying isopropanol is described, in which a crude isopropanol stream containing in excess of 0.1 wt % water is separated into a dry isopropanol fraction containing no more than 0.1 wt % water and a wet isopropanol fraction containing the remainder of the water in said crude isopropanol stream. The dry isopropanol fraction is recovered and the wet acetone isopropanol fraction is contacted with benzene in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions such that at least part of the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene.

Abstract: In a process for producing cumene, benzene and a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol are supplied to an alkylation zone comprising a molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under alkylation conditions such that the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce a reaction product comprising cumene. Subsequently, the supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is ceased and a gaseous stripping agent is supplied to the molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to remove nitrogenous impurities deposited on the catalyst during the preceding alkylation reaction. The supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is then reinitiated.

Abstract: In a process for producing cumene, isopropanol containing nitrogenous impurities is reacted with benzene in an alkylation reactor to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene, unreacted benzene and water. Water is removed from the effluent stream and an aliquot of the resultant dried effluent stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities and produce a purified recycle stream. At least part of the purified recycle stream is then recycled to the alkylation reactor. In an alternative embodiment, the isopropanol is combined with fresh and/or recycled benzene and the combined stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities before being fed to the alkylation reactor.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, benzene is contacted with a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol under alkylation conditions such that at least part of the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce cumene. At least part of the resultant cumene is then oxidized in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an oxidation effluent comprising cumene hydroperoxide, unreacted cumene and a spent oxidizing gas. The unreacted cumene is separated from the oxidation effluent and is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities therefrom and produce a purified cumene stream, which is recycled to the oxidization step. At least part of the cumene hydroperoxide from the oxidation effluent is cleaved to produce a cleavage effluent comprising phenol and acetone. The phenol is recovered phenol from the cleavage effluent, whereas at least part of the acetone from the cleavage effluent is hydrogenated to produce isopropanol for recycle to the alkylation step.

Abstract: A process is described for alkylating benzene contained in a refinery gasoline stream, in which the refinery gasoline stream is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising one or more C2 to C5 olefins in an alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylated effluent. The alkylation reaction zone comprises at least a first alkylation reaction stage and a second alkylation reaction stage and a portion of said alkylating agent is fed to each of said first and second alkylation reaction stages so that, although the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic to alkylating agent in the total feed to the alkylation reaction zone is less than 1, the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic to alkylating agent at the inlet of each of the first and second alkylation reaction stages is at least 1.0.

Abstract: A process for reducing the benzene content of gasoline stream, such as a reformate or light naphtha, comprises alkylating the gasoline stream in a reaction zone with an olefin alkylating agent. A paraffinic stream comprising C5 to ClO paraffins is fed to the inlet of the alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for alkylating benzene contained in a benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream, the benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream is contacted with an alkylating agent selected from one or more C2 to C5 olefins in at least one alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylated effluent which has reduced benzene content as compared with said refinery gasoline stream and is essentially free of said alkylating agent. An aliquot of the alkylated effluent is then recycled to the one at least one alkylation reaction zone such that the molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic compounds to said alkylating agent in the combined refinery gasoline and recycle streams introduced into the at least one alkylation reaction zone is at least 1.0:1.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for alkylating benzene contained in a benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream also comprising at least 0.1 wt % of at least one C6 to C8 olefin. In the process, the refinery gasoline stream is contacted under alkylation conditions with an alkylating agent selected from one or more C2 to C5 olefins in at least a first alkylation reaction zone and a second alkylation reaction zone connected in series to produce an alkylated effluent, which has reduced benzene content as compared with said refinery gasoline stream. All of the refinery gasoline stream is introduced into the first alkylation reaction stage, whereas an aliquot of the alkylated effluent is recycled and introduced to the second, but not the first, alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of alpha-methyl-styrene (AMS) to cumene in a two catalyst system is disclosed. A crude cumene feed stream containing up to 10% AMS by weight is supplied to the first reaction zone 112 and mixed with hydrogen in a first catalyst bed 118 containing a nickel catalyst, converting from 70 to 95 percent of the AMS to cumene. Cumene and remaining AMS are separated from hydrogen in a liquid take off tray 120. The first reaction zone 112 effluent is supplied to a second reaction zone 114, where the effluent and hydrogen gas are mixed in a second catalyst bed 126 containing a noble-metal catalyst to substantially convert any remaining AMS to cumene. Cumene is collected, separated from the hydrogen, and can be resupplied to the hydrogenation reactor 110, or supplied as feed to a phenol synthesis loop.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of alpha-methyl-styrene (AMS) to cumene in a two catalyst system is disclosed. A crude cumene feed stream containing up to 10% AMS by weight is supplied to the first reaction zone 112 and mixed with hydrogen in a first catalyst bed 118 containing a nickel catalyst, converting from 70 to 95 percent of the AMS to cumene. Cumene and remaining AMS are separated from hydrogen in a liquid take off tray 120. The first reaction zone 112 5effluent is supplied to a second reaction zone 114, where the effluent and hydrogen gas are mixed in a second catalyst bed 126 containing a noble-metal catalyst to substantially convert any remaining AMS to cumene. Cumene is collected, separated from the hydrogen, and can be resupplied to the hydrogenation reactor 110, or supplied as feed to a phenol synthesis loop.

Abstract: A method for operating a dimerization reactor that receives a hydrocarbon feed and produces an output stream comprising a light hydrocarbon component, a dimer and an alcohol component comprises: (a) separating the first output stream into a top stream containing the light hydrocarbon and a bottom stream containing the dimer, with the alcohol being present in the top stream or the bottom stream or both; (b) contacting at least one of the bottom and top streams with a water stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol therefrom, thereby forming an water/alcohol stream; (c) contacting the water/alcohol stream with a hydrocarbon stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol present in the water/alcohol stream into the hydrocarbon stream, thereby forming an alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream; and (d) feeding the alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream into the dimerization reactor.

Abstract: A method for operating a dimerization reactor that receives a hydrocarbon feed and produces an output stream comprising a light hydrocarbon component, a dimer and an alcohol component comprises: (a) separating the first output stream into a top stream containing the light hydrocarbon and a bottom stream containing the dimer, with the alcohol being present in the top stream or the bottom stream or both; (b) contacting at least one of the bottom and top streams with a water stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol therefrom, thereby forming an water/alcohol stream; (c) contacting the water/alcohol stream with a hydrocarbon stream so as to extract at least a major portion of the alcohol present in the water/alcohol stream into the hydrocarbon stream, thereby forming an alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream; and (d) feeding the alcohol-enriched hydrocarbon stream into the dimerization reactor.