Styrene monomer (SM) is the fourth largest manufactured chemical and represents the feedstock for the production of key petrochemicals as polystyrene and other synthetic resins. Styrene monomer is produced by the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction of ethylbenzene.

During the early days of SM production in the 50´s, the EB/SM splitters were equipped with mass transfer trays. After the first generation structured packing was launched in 1980s, the 250.Y type packing was used to revamp the EB/SM splitters with great success. With the introduction of high capacity structured packings in the late 1990s, the 1st generation packings were progressively replaced by 2nd generation 250 and 350 m2/m3 high capacity structured packings.

Today, the newest generation of structured packings, the RMP SP-type (an “in-house” development) has demonstrated excellent performance at pilot (SRP) and industrial scale (FRI) columns with standard test systems plus many different chemical and petrochemical applications. This seminar will demonstrate RMP SP-type lowered pressure drop and higher capacity as compared to 2nd generation/high capacity structured packings at equivalent efficiency level (HETP) per theoretical stage.