Uop Lcc

Eugene Schmelzer

Edward C Haun

Don L Ferk

Constante P Tagamolila

A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons uses a working fluid to reduce the costs of separating an unreacted aromatic feed substrate from aromatic hydrocarbon products. Unreacted aromatic substrate is combined with a light hydrocarbon, such as propane, to form a combined effluent stream. The combined effluent stream enters a flash separator where unreacted aromatic substrate is lifted overhead with the light hydrocarbon while heavier aromatic products are recovered below. The aromatic substrate and light hydrocarbon are easily separated in a simple separation zone. Lifting the aromatic substrate with the working fluid reduces the volume of aromatic substrate that remains with the aromatic product so that the more energy intensive separation of the aromatic substrate and aromatic product is performed on a reduced volume of material.

Effluent separation method for aromatic hydrocarbon alkylation process

A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons uses a light hydrocarbon recycle to reduce the costs of separating an unreacted aromatic feed substrate from aromatic hydrocarbon products. Unreacted aromatic substrate is combined with a light hydrocarbon, such as propane, to form a combined effluent stream. The combined effluent stream enters a flash separator where unreacted aromatic substrate is lifted overhead with the light hydrocarbon while heavier aromatic products are recovered below. The aromatic substrate and light hydrocarbon are easily separated in a simple separation zone. Lifting the aromatic substrate with the light hydrocarbon reduces the volume of aromatic substrate that remains with the aromatic product so that the more energy intensive separation of the aromatic substrate and aromatic product is performed on a reduced volume of material.

A process for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at reforming conditions including a pressure of from about 50 to about 250 psig. is disclosed. A portion of the hydrogen-rich vapor phase recovered from the reforming zone effluent at a relatively low pressure is compressed and recycled to the reforming zone without further purification. The balance of said hydrogen-rich vapor phase, or the net hydrogen, is compressed to a relatively high pressure and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon phase recovered from said low pressure separation to effect a further purification of said net hydrogen and to maximize the recovery of C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 + material in the liquid phase.

Growing community of inventors

Skokie, IL, United States of America

Eugene Schmelzer