Process for Producing Para-Xylene

Abstract

A process for producing a PX-rich product, the process comprising: (a) providing a PX-depleted stream; (b) isomerizing at least a portion of the PX-depleted stream to produce an isomerized stream having a PX concentration greater than the PX-depleted stream and a benzene concentration of less than 1,000 ppm and a C 9 + hydrocarbons concentration of less than 5,000 ppm; and (c) separating the isomerized stream by selective adsorption.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A process for producing a PX-rich product, the process comprising:
 (a) providing a PX-depleted stream;   (b) isomerizing at least a portion of the PX-depleted stream to produce an isomerized stream having a PX concentration greater than the PX-depleted stream and a benzene concentration of less than 1,000 ppm and a C 9 + hydrocarbons concentration of less than 5,000 ppm; and   (c) separating the isomerized stream by selective adsorption.   
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , further comprising treating at least a portion of said isomerized stream in step (b) to remove C9+ hydrocarbons prior to step (c). 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 16 , further comprising treating at least a portion of said isomerized stream in step (b) to remove benzene prior to separating step (c). 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 16 , further comprising treating at least a portion of said isomerized stream in step (b) to remove C9+ hydrocarbons and benzene prior to step (c). 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said selective adsorption produces a PX-rich stream and a PX-depleted stream. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said isomerizing is at least partially in the liquid phase.