Benzene
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Benzene is a colorless, highly flammable liquid chemical with a sweet odor. It has been produced from coal since 1849 and from petroleum since 1941. It is a natural constituent of crude oil, but it is usually synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum.
Benzene is known as an "aromatic hydrocarbon" and the second [n]-annulene ([6]-annulene). Because of the distinctive smell of benzene (and related compounds), the benzene family is classified as "aromatic"; thus the name, aromatic hydrocarbon. Benzene has an odor threshold of 12 ppm, therefore, not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. It is a recognized carcinogen.
Physical Properties of Benzene
Description : Colorless liquid; sweet odor
Molecular formula : C6H6
Molecular weight : 78.11
Boiling point : 80.1 oC (353.2 k)
Melting point : 5.5 oC (278.6 k)
Solubility in water : 1.79 g/l (25 oC)
Density and phase : 0.8786 g/cm³, liquid
TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS/FEEDSTOCK
Three chemical processes contribute equally to industrial benzene production: catalytic reforming, toluene hydrodealkylation, and steam cracking.
CATALAYTIC REFORMING
In catalytic reforming, a mixture of hydrocarbons with boiling points between 60-200°C is blended with hydrogen gas, which is then exposed to a platinum chloride or rhenium chloride catalyst at 500-525°C and pressures ranging from 8-50 atm. Under these conditions, aliphatic hydrocarbons form rings and lose hydrogen to become aromatic hydrocarbons.
TOLUENE HYDRODEALKYLATION
Toluene hydrodealkylation converts toluene to benzene. In this process, toluene is mixed with hydrogen, then passed over a chromium, molybdenum, or platinum oxide catalyst at 500-600°C and 40-60 atm pressure. Sometimes, higher temperatures are used instead of a catalyst. Under these conditions, toluene undergoes dealkylation according to the chemical equation:
C6H5CH3 + H2 → C6H6 + CH4
Typical reaction yields exceed 95%. Sometimes, xylene and heavier aromatics are used in place of toluene, with similar efficiency.
STEAM CRACKING
Steam cracking is the process used to produce ethylene and other olefins from aliphatic hydrocarbons. Depending on the feedstock used to produce the olefins, steam cracking can produce a benzene-rich liquid byproduct called pyrolysis gasoline. Pyrolysis gasoline can be blended with other hydrocarbons as a gasoline additive, or distilled to separate it into its components, including benzene.
END USE
The largest use of benzene is as an intermediate to make other chemicals. The most widely produced derivatives of benzene are styrene, which is used to make polymers and plastics, phenol for resins and adhesives (via cumene), and cyclohexane, which is used in nylon manufacture. Smaller amounts of benzene are used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, explosives and pesticides.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
Important characteristics of the benzene industry are as follows:
- On a global basis, catalytic reforming accounts for some 55% of benzene production including associated toluene conversion. Steam cracking and associated toluene conversion accounts for nearly 40% of benzene production.
- In the U.S., catalytic reforming of naphtha accounts for about 38% of benzene production. Benzene is an incidental product from reforming during the manufacture of high-octane blending components (HOBC) used in gasoline blending. A further 28% of benzene is attributed to pyrolysis gasoline from steam cracking sources where the benzene is an incidental product during the production of ethylene and propylene.
- In Europe, the ratio is about reversed where steam cracking accounts for nearly 52% of benzene while catalytic reforming accounts for about 30%.
The YnFx Nylon Chain Report has them in the order of their capacities worldwide
The detailed Industry Structure and the Company names with capacity and % Share in the global market is available in the Nylon Chain Report by Yarnsandfibers.com
AN OVERVIEW
The resilience and momentum of the global economy in 2005 continued to exceed expectations notwithstanding the rising higher oil prices and natural disasters. Global GDP growth is estimated at 4.8%. Industrial production has picked up noticeably since mid-2005; the services sector remains resilient. World trade expanded close to double-digit levels and consumer confidence and labor market conditions strengthened. This tremendous feat was pushed by China (GDP 9.9%), India (GDP 8.3%), the United States (GDP 3.5%) and the EU (GDP 1.3%). This resulted in a strong demand for commodities and petrochemicals, particularly in the second half of 2005.
The future projections and country-wise demand for Benzene is covered in the Nylon Chain Report by Yarnsandfibers.com. You may also get a view of Table of Contents
The report also covers various aspects in tabular as well as graphical form as shown below
Price Trends –
The current prices and the trends are published weekly in theYnFx PriceWatch Report, which covers 22 textile products, starting from feedstock till yarn, and tracks the international price movement on a weekly basis.
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