The formation of styrene via the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene is a highly endothermic reaction. In addition, ethylbenzene may decompose to benzene and toluene and also may react with hydrogen to form toluene and methane:

This process is presented in Appendix B as Project B.3 From the information given in Appendix B, determine the following:

1. The single-pass conversion of ethylbenzene

2. The overall conversion of ethylbenzene

3. The yield of styrene

Suggest one strategy to increase the yield of styrene, and sketch any changes to the PFD that this strategy would require.

Transcribed Image Text:

1 C6H5C2H5 C6H5C2H3 + H₂ ethylbenzene styrene hydrogen 2 3 C6H5 C2H5 + H₂ ethylbenzene C6H5 C2H5 C6H6 + C2H4 ethylbenzene benzene ethylene (B.2.2) (B.2.1) hydrogen C6H6CH3 + CH4 toluene methane (B.2.3)