Cumene and Phenol
Phenol is an important petrochemical used in the production of phenolic
resins, nylon, polycarbonate resins, and many other chemicals. Cumene
(i.e. isopropyl benzene) is produced primarily by alkylation of benzene
with propylene. Cumene is then converted to phenol and acetone by peroxidation.
For over 50 years, the chemical industry had used solid phosphoric acid (SPA)
or aluminum chloride catalysts to synthesize cumene from benzene and propylene.
This approach was fundamentally changed by the recent introduction of UOP’s
revolutionary Q-Max process.
The Q-Max process represents a new generation of cumene technology based upon
a highly-selective and stable zeolite catalyst developed by UOP researchers.
The process offers excellent cumene product quality at over 99.7 wt-% yield.
The catalyst used in the Q-Max process can be regenerated repeatedly, avoiding
the significant catalyst disposal problems associated with the older SPA and
aluminum chloride catalyst systems. Compared to other cumene synthesis technologies,
the Q-Max process offers better product quality, better heat integration, lower
investment cost, and a far more rugged and reliable catalyst system.
The Sunoco/UOP Phenol process features low cumene consumption, low utility and chemicals
consumption and an optimized design for lower investment cost. Low-pressure oxidation,
no acetone recycle and no tar cracker make the process easier and safer to operate
than other phenol technologies.
Click on the links to the right for more information on UOP’s cumene and phenol
technologies. Or, to find out how UOP can help you optimize your aromatics production,
contact us today using our information request form
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