Removal of aromatic hydrocarbons from reforming naphtha. Combined extraction - Extractive-azeotropic distillation process

Separation of C-6-C-9 aromatic hydrocarbons from naphtha cut reformate by extraction with sulfolane followed by extractive/azeotropic distillation of the extract phase with sulfolane and ethanol. For mass ratios of sulfolane to feedstock of 1.6:1 and 0.28:1 in the stages of extraction and extractive-azeotropic distillation and a ratio of ethanol to feedstock of 0.032:1, raffinate was obtained with a yield of 65 wt. %, which satisfies the long-term environmental requirements for gasoline and benzene, toluene, and C-8 and C-9 aromatic hydrocarbons with a yield of 89, 77, 69, and 24 wt. %. Key words: reformate, aromatic hydrocarbons, extraction, extractive distillation, sulfolane, ethanol.