Cumene

Abstract

Fresh chemical grade propylene is combined with benzene which is maintained at a high recycle rate to prevent formation of dealkylated and polymer products. Solid phosphoric acid catalyst is non-corrosive and the reactor can therefore be constructed of carbon steel. Reactor effluent is rectified to remove propane and ar.y unreacted benzene. The propane may be sold as LPG. Liquid from the rectifier contains cumene and unreacted benzene is charged to the recycle column. Here, high purity cumene comes off overhead, and di-isopropylbenzene etc as the bottom product.