Transalkylation of Heavy Alkylate Using a Layered Catalyst

Abstract

A layered catalyst is disclosed for use in transalkylation of polyalkylated benzenes. The catalyst comprises an inner core material with a molecular sieve bonded over the core. The process minimizes the cracking of the alkyl groups during the transalkylation reaction.

1 . An aromatic transalkylation process comprising:
 passing a first stream comprising an aromatic substrate hydrocarbon and a second stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon having more than one alkyl group to a reaction zone, wherein each alkyl group has 6 or more carbon atoms;   reacting the aromatic hydrocarbon in the first stream with the polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbon in the second stream over a solid catalyst comprising a layered structure, thereby generating an effluent stream comprising a monoalkylated aromatic hydrocarbon.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein each alkyl group has from 8 to 16 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the reacting conditions include a pressure between 100 kPa and 13 MPa. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the reacting conditions include a pressure between 1 MPa and 4 MPa. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the reacting conditions include a temperature between 40° C. and 400° C. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the reacting conditions include a temperature between 100° C. and 250° C. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the reacting conditions include a liquid hourly space velocity between 0.1 and 50 hr −1 . 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the reacting conditions include a liquid hourly space velocity between 0.5 and 5 hr −1 .