METHODS FOR REMOVING IMPURITIES FROM A HYDROCARBON STREAM AND THEIR USE IN AROMATIC ALKYLATION PROCESSES

摘要

Methods for removing impurities from a hydrocarbon stream using a guard bed material are disclosed. The guard bed material includes compositions which comprises a zeolite and a mesoporous support or binder. The zeolite has a Constraint Index of less than 3. The mesoporous support or binder comprises a mesoporous metal oxide having a particle diameter of greater than or equal to 20 [mu]m at 50% ofthe cumulative pore size distribution (d50), a pore volume of less than 1cc/g, and an alumina content of greater than 75%, by weight. Also disclosed are processes for producing mono-alkylated aromaticcompounds (e.g., ethylbenzene or cumene) using impure feed streams that are treated by the disclosed methods to remove impurities which act as catalyst poisons to downstream alkylation and/or transalkylation catalysts.