BTXProcessing

AbstractBenzene (B), toluene (T), and the xylenes (X) are the lowest weight hydrocarbon analogues. They are each very large‐scale chemical feedstocks. Since they are often produced in the same process, they can be considered a group, ie, BTX. However, BTX is not an article of commerce. It is either an important component of a crude mixture such as reformate or pyrolysis gasoline or it is separated into its individual components. This article mainly discusses the processes for making these crude mixtures: Originally BTX was obtained commercially by the pyrolysis of coal. It is now closely connected with the production of gasoline. BTX comprises an important gasoline component called reformate. Any BTX chemical needed is separated from the reformate stream before it is blended in the gasoline pool. Details on the reforming process, hydrolysis pyrolysis, BTX from light hydrocarbons, and other processes are given. The complexity of separating the components from the crude materials depends on the amount of nonaromatic compounds present. Separation and purification are performed by extraction, extractive distillation, and absorption. In addition, downstream operations are also carried out. BTX chemicals are hazardous and environmental pressures are increasing to reduce emissions and workplace exposure. A very wide range of chemicals from solvents, to fibers, films and plastics are prepared from the BTX chemicals.