Study and pilot scale development of catalyst for ethylebenzene synthesis through transalkylation of benzene and polyethylbenzene

The development of benzene and polyethylbenzene transalkylation catalyst (type AEB-1) for synthesis of ethylbenzene was studied. The preparation of this catalyst, which was based on the zeolite developed by Research Institute of Petroleum Processing (Beijing), was implemented in pilot scale and was tested for activity and stability in a 150 ton/yr pilot ethylbenzene unit. The reaction temperature had the most significant effect on the transalkylation reaction. The average crushing strength of the catalyst prepared in pilot scale was 91.1 N/cm, with deviations of 70-104.5 N/cm. The specific surface area of the catalyst was 555 sq m/g. The physico-chemical properties of the catalyst were equivalent to those of the laboratory catalyst and the target for preparation of catalyst in pilot scale was met. The conversion of diethylbenzene and polyethylbenzene during pilot run of the catalyst was slightly lower than that obtained from the laboratory evaluation. During operation of the pilot plant, the diethylbenzene conversion on the catalyst ranged at 75-85% with identical conversion level of polyethylbenzene. The ethylbenzene selectivity of the catalyst was 99.6% avg.