Ethyl Benzene (EB) & Styrene Monomer (SM)

Summary

Ethylbenzene (EB) is produced in by combining Benzene and Ethylene in catalytic alkylation reaction under liquid state. Most of EB produced is used as an intermediate of production of styrene, it also used for anti-knocking agent in gasoline, rubber adhesives, paint, solvent in inks etc.

Benzene(C6H6)+ Ethylene(C2H4) → Ethylbenzene(C6H5(C2H5))

Styrene monomer (SM) is produced by catalytic dehydration reaction of ethylbenzene at gas phase under high temperature with steam and vacuum condition. Styrene monomer is allowed to be polymerized to produce commercial products such as polystyrene, ABS, styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber, styrene-butadiene latex etc.

Ethylbenzene(C6H5(C2H5)) → Styrene(C6H5(CH=CH2)) + Hydrogen(H2)

EB/SM Block Flow Diagram