| abstract |
In a process for the preparation of cumene from acetone and benzene, a first liquid effluent is converted to at least a portion of acetone to isopropanol and in the first reactor zone, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, in the first reactor zone Contact with hydrogen under sufficient hydrogenation conditions to produce a stream and a first vapor stream rich in unreacted hydrogen. Then, without intermediate purification, benzene is added to at least a portion of the first liquid effluent stream and optionally to at least a portion of the first vapor stream to form a second feed stream. The second feed stream is then maintained in a second reaction zone separate from the first reaction zone, keeping at least a portion of the second feed stream in the liquid phase and at least a portion of the isopropanol in the second feed stream. Contact with the alkylation catalyst under sufficient alkylation conditions to react with benzene to form cumene and water and to form a second effluent stream comprising at least cumene, water and unreacted benzene. Hydrogen is separated from the first vapor stream and / or the second effluent stream. At least a portion of the hydrogen is recycled to the first reaction zone and / or purged from the system. |