TO: Dr.

BY: FA11BECB3

Production of 50,000 MT Styrene from

Ethyl Benzene
History
Styrene is named after styrax balsman, which is a natural resin separated from the wounded bark of
liquidambar trees. Styrene was first produced by the distillation of storax balsam in the 19 th century.
Styrene was first manufactured by the dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene in 1930s by DOW researchers
using the Dow Styrene Process in the U.S.A.

Routes to Produce Styrene

Sr
Route
.
#
0 Dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene.
1
0 Oxidation of ethyl benzene to ethyl benzene hydro peroxide, which
2 reacts with propylene oxide, after which the alcohol is dehydrated to

Status

Commercialize
Commercialize

styrene.

0
3

Oxidative conversion of ethyl benzene to phenyl ethanol via Practiced by Union-Carbide

Corporation than later
acetophenon and subsequent dehydration of alcohol.
replace with
dehydrogenation process.

0
4
0
5
0
6
0
7

Side-chain chlorination of ethyl benzene followed by Involve Chlorine and high

dechlorination.
cost of raw material.
Side-chain chlorination of ethyl benzene, hydrolysis to the Involve Chlorine and high
corresponding alcohols, followed by dehydration.
cost of raw material.
Pyrolysis of petroleum recovery from various petroleum From petroleum streams is
processes.
difficult and costly
First Benzene is alkylated with ethylene over a solid acid
ExSyM, Introduced this
catalyst to make ethylbenzene (EB). Second, EB is
method in recent years,
dehydrogenated at high temperature (>600C) over an iron With the aim to replace 70
oxide catalyst to styrene.
years old method.
(2007 Piloting)

The two commercially important routes to styrene are based on ethyl benzene production by alkylation of
benzene and ethylene .Research programs aimed at replacing expensive benzene and ethylene feed stocks
with less costly alternatives have been carried out by a number of companies.

Route of Choice

Dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene (Route # 01)

Economical
Most adopted route.
By-products marketable.

Raw Material
Ethyl Benzene

Final Product
Styrene

Production
Styrene is being produced using the dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene and research is being done to
improve the processes.
Styrene is produced by the reaction

C6 H 5 CH 2 CH 3 C 6 H 5 CH CH 2 + H 2
Uses

Solid and film polystyrene, used in rigid foodservice containers, CD cases, appliance housings,
envelope windows and many other products.
Polystyrene foam, used in food service products and building insulation.
Composite products, used in tub and shower enclosures, automobile body panels, wind turbine
parts, boats and many other applications.

Global production is estimated around 25 million metric tons per year.

Process Flow Diagram