The xylene isomerization process unit and the transalkylation process units are combined in the present invention. A fractionation column can be shared by the two units, reducing the capital cost of the complex. In some embodiments, a split shell fractionation column and a split separator can be used.

The invention relates to a selective hydrogenolysis method for treating a feed rich in aromatic compounds having more than 8 carbon atoms, comprising transforming at least one alkyl group with at least two carbon atoms (ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, etc.) attached to a benzene ring into at least one methyl group. The invention also relates to the integration of the hydrogenolysis unit into an aromatic complex.

In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C.sub.6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C.sub.9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C.sub.9+-aromatics to C.sub.8−-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.

The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing linear alkyl benzne (LAB). The process comprises alkylation of benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid to obtain a first product mixture comprising a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase comprising first partially spent ionic liquid. The first organic phase is deacidified and fractionally distilled to obtain a fraction comprising LAB and a fraction comprising HAB. The fraction comprising HAB is transalkylated with benzene in the presence of the ionic liquid to obtain a second product mixture comprising a second organic phase comprising LAB and a second aqueous phase comprising second partially spent ionic liquid. The partially spent ionic liquids are regenerated, and reused in the steps of alkylation or transalkylation for at least 6 cycles.

The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing linear alkyl benzne (LAB). The process comprises alkylation of benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid to obtain a first product mixture comprising a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase comprising first partially spent ionic liquid. The first organic phase is deacidified and fractionally distilled to obtain a fraction comprising LAB and a fraction comprising HAB. The fraction comprising HAB is transalkylated with benzene in the presence of the ionic liquid to obtain a second product mixture comprising a second organic phase comprising LAB and a second aqueous phase comprising second partially spent ionic liquid. The partially spent ionic liquids are regenerated, and reused in the steps of alkylation or transalkylation for at least 6 cycles.

The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing linear alkyl benzne (LAB). The process comprises alkylation of benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid to obtain a first product mixture comprising a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase comprising first partially spent ionic liquid. The first organic phase is deacidified and fractionally distilled to obtain a fraction comprising LAB and a fraction comprising HAB. The fraction comprising HAB is transalkylated with benzene in the presence of the ionic liquid to obtain a second product mixture comprising a second organic phase comprising LAB and a second aqueous phase comprising second partially spent ionic liquid. The partially spent ionic liquids are regenerated, and reused in the steps of alkylation or transalkylation for at least 6 cycles.

A process for producing alkylaromatic compounds is described. The process involves utilizing at least a portion of the aromatic compound used to regenerate the alkylation catalyst in a spent alkylation reaction zone as a reactant in the active alkylation reaction zone.

The invention relates to a p-xylene separation process wherein at least a portion of ethylbenzene present in an aromatics-containing feed is removed prior to isomerization. Aspects of the invention provide a process for producing p-xylene. The process includes providing a first mixture comprising ≧5.0 wt. % of aromatic C.sub.8 isomers, the C.sub.8 isomers comprising p-xylene and ethylbenzene. A p-xylene-containing portion and an ethylbenzene-containing portion are separated from the first mixture in a first separation stage to form a p-xylene-depleted raffinate. The first separation stage can include at least one simulated moving-bed adsorptive separation stage. At least a portion the p-xylene-depleted raffinate in the liquid phase is reacted to produce a reactor effluent comprising aromatic C.sub.8 isomers. The first mixture can be combined with ≧50.0 wt. % of the reactor effluent's aromatic C.sub.8 isomers. The combining can be carried out before and/or during the separating of the p-xylene and ethylbenzene portions.

Disclosed are processes for conversion of a feedstock comprising C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products in which the feedstock and optionally hydrogen are contacted in the presence of the catalyst composition under conversion conditions effective to dealkylate and transalkylate said C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce said lighter aromatic products comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a first metal, and a second metal, and is treated with a source of sulfur and/or a source of steam.

Methods and apparatus for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one example, a method for processing hydrocarbons includes the step of providing feed stream including toluene, ethylbenzene, mixed xylenes, and C.sub.9 hydrocarbons. Ethylbenzene is present in the feed stream in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of total C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons present in the feed stream. The method further includes the step of subjecting the feed stream to ethylbenzene conversion to form a benzene-containing product stream that includes benzene.