Cunene is made by alkylation of benzene with propylene over


Cunene is made by alkylation of benzene with propylene over zeolite catalyst. To maximize selectivity to desired products, several beds of catalyst are used inside the same reactor. A mixture of feed and recycle benzene enters the top of the reactor and the feed propylene is split so that a portion of the propylene is fed to each catalyst bed. A large excess of benzene is used, to minimize propylene oligomerization and ensure complete reaction of propylene. The reactor product is cooled and sent to a stabilizer column that removes any light hydrocarbons. The bottom from this column is sent to a benzene column that recovers benzene overhead for recycle to the alkylation and trans alkylation reactors. The bottoms from the benzene column are distilled to give commence product and a heavy stream. The heavy stream is further distilled in a heavies column to give a mixture of dipropyl- and tripropyl-benzene overhead and a heavy waste stream as bottoms. The distillate from the heavies column is sent to a trans alkylation reactor and reacted with excess benzene. The product from the trans alkylation reactor is returned to the benzene column. Sketch a block flow diagram of the process.

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Chemical Engineering: Cunene is made by alkylation of benzene with propylene over
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