AROMATICS

Benzene is consumed primarily in the production of ethylbenzene and styrene monomer, cumene and phenol, cyclohexane, chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, alkylbenzene and maleic anhydride as well as a chemical intermediate. Benzene can be sourced from reformate, pyrolisis gasoline, toluene disproportionation and the hydrodealkalation of toluene.

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Mixed xylenes is an aromatic usually extracted from reformate, but it can also be obtained via toluene disproportionation. Mixed xylenes can be separated into three different isomers: paraxylene, orthoxylene and metaxylene, with paraxylene being the isomer of highest demand. Mixed xylenes can also be used directly for blending into gasoline or as a solvent.

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Orthoxylene is a base petrochemical produced along with paraxylene from a mixed xylenes stream. By far its major application is in the production of phthalic anhydride. There is a small but steady usage for the production of bactericides, herbicides for soya bean crops, lube oil additives and 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and its dimethyl ester.

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Paraxylene is the main feedstock for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). These intermediates in turn are used to make polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for use in fibres for textiles, bottles for soft drinks and water, as well as some film. Paraxylene is separated from a mixed xylene stream, which also has value as a source of gasoline blending components. Alternative routes to paraxylene include toluene disproportionation, which yields benzene as a co-product. It is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour.

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Toluene is used primarily as an octane booster in gasoline. It is also used as a feedstock via disproportionation, in which benzene and xylenes are produced, and in hydrodealkylation (HDA) to make benzene, as well as in several chemical applications. Feedstock for benzene and xylenes is toluene's main chemical use. Other chemical applications include TDI and solvents. Toluene grades are: TDI-grade (over 99% purity); nitration (98.5%) for solvents and phenol and commercial (96%) for gasoline blending and as a feedstock for HDA and TDP. Most toluene is produced via catalytic reforming of naphtha in the process of gasoline manufacture.

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One of the building blocks of the petrochemical industry and one of the most important monomers in its class, styrene is made up of two other basic building blocks, benzene and ethylene via ethyl benzene. Plastics are the main use for styrene. Plastics include polystyrene – representing over 50% of demand - unsaturated polyester resins, ABS, SAN, and SBR. Derivatives are found everywhere from food-grade film to toys, construction pipes, foams, boats, latex paints, tyres, luggage and furniture.

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Cyclohexane is made by the hydrogenation of benzene. Its main use is to produce KA Oil, which is a mixture of cyclohexanone (a Ketone) and cyclohexanol (an Alcohol). KA Oil is mostly converted to 100% cyclohexanone, which is used mainly as the raw material to make caprolactam, but is also used as a solvent. Some KA Oil is used directly to make adipic acid by oxidation with nitric acid. There are also some uses of cyclohexane as a solvent.

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