Abstract: A method for enhancing the recovery of styrene includes feeding a hot liquid residue stream to a stripping vessel from a styrene monomer purification finishing system. The hot liquid residue stream includes styrene and compounds less volatile than styrene. The method includes introducing a gas to the stripping vessel to strip a portion of the styrene as vapor, generating a vaporized styrene portion, returning the vaporized styrene portion and the gas to the styrene monomer purification finishing system, recovering at least a portion of the vaporized styrene portion into a styrene monomer product, and producing a final liquid residue stream from a bottom of the stripping vessel with a lower concentration of styrene than the hot liquid residue stream feeding the stripping vessel.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the recovery of styrene includes feeding a hot liquid residue stream to a stripping vessel from a styrene monomer purification finishing system. The hot liquid residue stream includes styrene and compounds less volatile than styrene. The method includes introducing a gas to the stripping vessel to strip a portion of the styrene as vapor, generating a vaporized styrene portion, returning the vaporized styrene portion and the gas to the styrene monomer purification finishing system, recovering at least a portion of the vaporized styrene portion into a styrene monomer product, and producing a final liquid residue stream from a bottom of the stripping vessel with a lower concentration of styrene than the hot liquid residue stream feeding the stripping vessel.

Abstract: Systems for heating multi-tubular reactors are provided. Systems can include one or more reaction panels including multiple vertically-oriented reaction tubes, each including a catalyst bed, which can be located within a furnace. A burner system can provide a flue gas to the furnace, and the flue gas can enter one or more distribution chambers such flue gas in the distribution chambers does not contact the portion of the reaction tubes containing the catalyst bed. The flue gas can travel from the distribution chambers and through one or more convection chambers to flow co-currently with a feedstream within the reaction tubes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heating a reactor feed in a multi reactor hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process. The methods and systems are advantageously employed for the production of styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. The catalytic dehydrogenation process employs heating steam operating at a steam to oil ratio of about 1.0 or less and relatively low steam superheater furnace temperature, such that all components exposed to steam in the process (outside of the fired heaters) can be constructed with standard metallurgy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a dehydrogenation section of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon production facility, wherein an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as ethylbenzene, is dehydrogenated to produce an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as styrene. The disclosed methods are more energy-efficient and cost effective than currently known methods for manufacturing styrene. The methods and systems advantageously utilize multiple reheat exchangers arranged in a series and/or parallel configuration that result in an energy consumption reduction and, consequently, a utility cost savings, as well as a reduction in styrene manufacturing plant investment costs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduced-energy improvements in methods and systems to produce styrene monomer via ethylbenzene dehydrogenation. The methods and systems reduce utility cost and provide savings in comparison with the current technology practiced in the industry.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heating a reactor feed in a multi reactor hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process. The methods and systems are advantageously employed for the production of styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. The catalytic dehydrogenation process employs heating steam operating at a steam to oil ratio of about 1.0 or less and relatively low steam superheater furnace temperature, such that all components exposed to steam in the process (outside of the fired heaters) can be constructed with standard metallurgy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a dehydrogenation section of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon production facility, wherein an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as ethylbenzene, is dehydrogenated to produce an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, such as styrene. The disclosed methods are more energy-efficient and cost effective than currently known methods for manufacturing styrene. The methods and systems advantageously utilize multiple reheat exchangers arranged in a series and/or parallel configuration that result in an energy consumption reduction and, consequently, a utility cost savings, as well as a reduction in styrene manufacturing plant investment costs.

Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.

Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.

Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.

Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus are disclosed for efficiently recovering the heat of condensation from overhead vapor produced during separation of various components of dehydrogenation reaction effluent, particularly in ethylbenzene-to-styrene operations, by the use of at least a compressor to facilitate azeotropic vaporization of an ethylbenzene and water mixture within a preferred range of pressure/temperature conditions so as to minimize undesired polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus are disclosed for efficiently recovering the heat of condensation from overhead vapor produced during separation of various components of dehydrogenation reaction effluent, particularly in ethylbenzene-to-styrene operations, by the use of at least a compressor to facilitate azeotropic vaporization of an ethylbenzene and water mixture within a preferred range of pressure/temperature conditions so as to minimize undesired polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus are disclosed for efficiently recovering the heat of condensation from overhead vapor produced during separation of various components of dehydrogenation reaction effluent, particularly in ethylbenzene-to-styrene operations, by the use of at least a compressor to facilitate azeotropic vaporization of an ethylbenzene and water mixture within a preferred range of pressure/temperature conditions so as to minimize undesired polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating and/or stabilizing the activity of a dehydrogenation catalyst used in dehydrogenating an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon to obtain an alkenylaromatic hydrocarbon, the method comprising the steps of continuously or intermittently adding to a reactant stream an effective amount of an alkali metal or alkali metal compound without interrupting the dehydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for regenerating and/or stabilizing catalyst used in dehydrogenation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The alkylaromatic hydrocarbon (1) and steam (2) are combined to form feedstream (3) and pass into reactor (50). The ensuing product stream (4) is reheated in heater (52) to restore the heat lost and passed as partially converted reactant stream (5) into second reactor (54) and leaves as stream (6) comprising the dehydrogen product. Restoration and/or stabilization of catalyst is accomplished by an alkali metal compound which is fed into feedstream (2) and/or product stream (5) via supply means (46 and 66), respectively. The amount of alkali metal compound entering the reactor(s) is monitored by means (42 and 62) which may in turn be coupled to activating means (44 and 64) to signal and activate the supply means. This method and apparatus permit the restoration and/or stabilization of the catalyst to be performed without interrupting the dehydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating and/or stabilizing the activity of a dehydrogenation catalyst used in dehydrogenating an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon to obtain an alkenylaromatic hydrocarbon, the method comprising the steps of continuously or intermittently adding to a reactant stream an effective amount of an alkali metal compound without interrupting the dehydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating and/or stabilizing the activity of a dehydrogenation catalyst used in dehydrogenating an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon to obtain an alkenylaromatic hydrocarbon, the method comprising the steps of continuously or intermittently adding to a reactant stream an effective amount of an alkali metal compound without interrupting the dehydrogenation reaction.