Patent · US Active

Selective hydrogenation of alpha-methyl-styrene to cumene

US7381854B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 2004
Grant dateJun 3, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 29, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/52
  • WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for the selective hydrogenation of alpha-methyl-styrene (AMS) to cumene in a two catalyst system is disclosed. A crude cumene feed stream containing up to 10% AMS by weight is supplied to the first reaction zone 112 and mixed with hydrogen in a first catalyst bed 118 containing a nickel catalyst, converting from 70 to 95 percent of the AMS to cumene. Cumene and remaining AMS are separated from hydrogen in a liquid take off tray 120. The first reaction zone 112 effluent is supplied to a second reaction zone 114, where the effluent and hydrogen gas are mixed in a second catalyst bed 126 containing a noble-metal catalyst to substantially convert any remaining AMS to cumene. Cumene is collected, separated from the hydrogen, and can be resupplied to the hydrogenation reactor 110, or supplied as feed to a phenol synthesis loop.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.