Advances in development and industrial applications of ethylbenzene processes

The benzene alkylation process for the production of ethylbenzene has undergone significant improvements during recent decades. Various environmentally benign zeolite-catalyzed ethylbenzene processes, including ZSM-5-zeolite-based vapor-phase ethylbenzene processes and Y-, β-, and MCM-22-zeolite-based liquid-phase processes, have been developed and commercialized. Pure ethylene, ethanol, and dilute ethylene have been used as ethylation agents. Here, the development and industrial application of alkylation catalysts and benzene ethylation techniques are summarized, and some other promising innovations are discussed. Recent advances in benzene alkylation over hierarchical zeolites with improved access to active sites and molecular transport are also covered. Zeolites with short diffusion lengths are promising candidates as better alkylation catalysts. The key point is how to obtain such materials easily and economically. The structure-activity relationships of commercial zeolites in these processes are discussed. Liquid-phase processes catalyzed by β and MCM-22 are more profitable than vapor-phase processes catalyzed by ZSM-5.

Advances in catalysts and processes for benzene ethylation with pure/dilute ethylene or ethanol to produce ethylbenzene are summarized. Some promising techniques and applications are discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide