Fina Technology, Inc.

Adrian M Jacobsen

James R Butler

James T Merrill

Marcus Ledoux

Kelli E Prince

Larry P Braud, Jr

Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a Cor Calkyl aromatic in which a feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting vinyl aromatic product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there. The feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into a plurality of tubular reactors located within the interior of a dehydrogenation reactor vessel and is arranged in a parallel relationship in which the tubular reactors are spaced laterally from one another and from the interior wall of the reaction vessel.

Dehydrogenation process

Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a C or C alkyl aromatic in which a feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting vinyl aromatic product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there. The feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into a plurality of tubular reactors located within the interior of a dehydrogenation reactor vessel and is arranged in a parallel relationship in which the tubular reactors are spaced laterally from one another and from the interior wall of the reaction vessel.

Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in which a feedstock containing ethylbenzene and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogehation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting styrene product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the distillation of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound employing a polymerization inhibitor. The vinyl aromatic compound is subjected to distillation in at least one fractionation column having at least one reboiler for maintaining the bottoms of said column at a proper temperature. The reboiler includes a heating section and a vapor phase section. The bottoms fraction from the fractionation column is cycled to the reboiler and subjected to heat to vaporize at least a portion of the bottoms fraction to form a vapor phase in the vapor section, A slip stream of the bottoms fraction is introduced to the vapor phase section of the reboiler. The slipstream contains polymerization inhibitor that had been added to the process at the fractionation column. The invention reduces fouling at the reboilers. The slipstream is optionally introduced to the reboiler using one or more spray nozzles. The polymerization inhibitor is added to the fractionation column in sufficient amounts to maintain a concentration of at least 400 parts per million by weight in the bottoms fraction.

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Adrian M Jacobsen