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Aromatics and Derivatives

Aromatics & Derivative Flow scheme

Aromatics Production

Benzene & Toluene

Aromatics Complex

Meta-xylene

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Ethylbenzene & Styrene

Cumene & Phenol

Ethylbenzene and Styrene

UOP offers a full range of state-of-the-art ethylbenzene and styrene monomer processes. Styrene monomer (SM) is an important petrochemical used in the production of polystyrene and other styrenic resins such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN). Ethylbenzene (EB) is produced primarily by alkylation of benzene with ethylene. EB is then converted to SM by dehydrogenation.

The EBOne process is a liquid-phase alkylation process that employs a proprietary zeolite catalyst system developed and manufactured by UOP. The EBOne process provides exceptional product quality at over 99.6 wt% yield. The catalysts used in the EBOne process can be regenerated repeatedly, thereby avoiding the significant catalyst disposal problems associated with older aluminum chloride catalyst systems. Compared to other EB synthesis technologies, the EBOne process offers better product quality, better heat integration, a lower investment cost, and a far more rugged and reliable catalyst system.

The Lummus/UOP Classic SM process is a deep-vacuum, adiabatic EB dehydrogenation technology, well known for its efficient heat integration and exceptional mechanical integrity. The unique dehydrogenation reactor system is designed to operate at a very cost-effective, minimal operating pressure to achieve the highest SM selectivities at high conversions. The Lummus/UOP Classic SM process uses state-of-the-art dehydrogenation catalysts developed and manufactured by Sud-Chemie A.G.

The Lummus/UOP Smart SM process offers an attractive way to increase the capacity of existing SM units through the use of an innovative oxidative reheat technology. The capacity of existing SM units can be increased up to 30% with minimal investment in new equipment.

Click on the links to the right for more information on UOP’s EB and SM technologies. Or, to find out how UOP can help you optimize your aromatics production, contact us today using our information request form