Published March 1993
This supplementary report reviews recent developments in ethylbenzene (EB) and styrene manufacturing technologies and evaluates major commercial and potentially commercial processes. Technoeconomic evaluations are presented for EB processes based on SRI's interpretation of the second and third generations of Mobil/Badger's vapor-phase alkylation technology, Monsanto/Lummus Crest's AlCl3-based liquid-phase alkylation process, and the relatively new zeolite-based liquid-phase alkylation process of Lummus Crest/Unocal/UOP. We also evaluate the styrene processes of Fina/Badger and Lummus Crest/Monsanto/UOP (both SMART and CLASSIC).
In addition, we update the economics for other commercial styrene processes, including isothermal dehydrogenation and EB hydroperoxidation with propylene oxide coproduction, as well as providing the economics for several potentially commercial processes. We also present the economics for integrated EB and styrene production.
Overall, this report encompasses the latest technologies and process economics and provides a basis for insight into technical trends, the selection of technologies, and possible improvements in profit margins with new technology.
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