Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

In a process for producing para-xylene, a naphtha feed is reformed under conditions effective to convert at least 50 wt % of the naphthenes in the naphtha feed to aromatics, but to convert no more than 25 wt % of the paraffins in the naphtha feed, and thereby produce a reforming effluent. A first stream containing benzene and/or toluene is removed from the reforming effluent and is fed to a xylene production unit under conditions effective to convert benzene and/or toluene to xylenes. In addition, a second stream containing C8 aromatics is removed from the reforming effluent and is fed, together with at least part of the xylenes produced in the xylene production unit, to a para-xylene recovery unit to recover a para-xylene product stream and leave a para-xylene-depleted C8 stream. At least part of para-xylene-depleted C8 stream is then fed to a xylene isomerization unit effective to isomerize xylenes in para-xylene-depleted stream back towards an equilibrium mixture of xylenes and thereby produce an isomerization effluent. The isomerization effluent is then recycled to the para-xylene extraction unit.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim