Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 1 of 14

Date: Experiment No#05

Task : 01 Process Flow sheeting of Cumene
Production in Aspen Plus
Objective:
 Successfully make a basic flow sheet simulation.
 Recognize the way of making a process simulation in Aspen Plus.
Theory:
What is Cumene?
Cumene is an organic compound that is based on an aromatic hydrocarbon with an aliphatic
substitution. It is a constituent of crude oil and refined fuels.

How Cumene is produce?

Commercial production of cumene is by Friedel–Crafts alkylation of benzene with propylene.
Cumene producers account for approximately 20% of the global demand for benzene. The
original route for manufacturing of cumene was by alkylation of benzene in the liquid phase
using sulfuric acid as a catalyst, but because of the complicated neutralization and recycling
steps required, together with corrosion problems, this process has been largely replaced. As
an alternative, solid phosphoric acid (SPA) supported on alumina was used as the catalyst.

Since the mid-1990s, commercial production has switched to zeolite-based catalysts. In this
process, the efficiency of cumene production is generally 70-75%. The remaining
components are primarily polyisopropyl benzenes. In 1976, an improved cumene process that
uses aluminum chloride as a catalyst was developed. The overall conversion of cumene for
this process can be as high as 90%.
The addition of two equivalents of propylene gives diisopropylbenzene (DIPB).
Using transalkylation, DIPB is comproportionated with benzene.
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 2 of 14

Safety:
Cumene forms peroxides upon long exposure to air. Tests for peroxides are routinely
conducted before heating or distilling.
Physical properties:
Cumene is a colorless liquid with an odor similar to gasoline.
 Melting Point: -96°C
 Boiling Point°C: 151
 Specific Gravity: 0.862
 Vapour Density: 4.1
 Flashpoint: 31°C
Chemical properties:
Cumene is a flammable liquid. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in most organic solvents.
Importance of Cumene:
Cumene, also known as isopropylbenzene, 2-phenylpropane or (1-methylethyl) benzene, is
widely used as a chemical intermediate in the production of phenol and acetone. Cumene
is also used as a thinner for paints, lacquers, and enamels and it is a natural component of
coal tar and petroleum.
How it is performed?
1. First select the entire component that are using in the task.

2. Select the property packages from the specifications.

3. Then run the property package and results are here:
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 3 of 14

4. Then go simulation bar and make a flow diagram for production of Cumene.

5. Then go to B stream and give inputs to the feed stream.

Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 4 of 14

6. Then go to RE-B stream and give inputs to the stream.

7. Then go to C3 stream and give inputs to the stream.

8. Then go to B3 (Flash 2) and give the input specifications.

9.
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 5 of 14

B5 :
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 6 of 14

B4 :

R1:
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 7 of 14

R2 :

Results:
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 8 of 14

Task No. 2
Title:
Process Flow sheeting of Cyclohexane Production from Benzene and Hydrogen in Aspen
Plus.
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 9 of 14

Objective:
 Successfully make a basic flow sheet simulation.
 Recognize the way of making a process simulation in Aspen Plus.

Component Specification:

Property Method:
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 10 of 14

Flow Diagram:

Input specifications :
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 11 of 14

Heater :

Reactor :
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 12 of 14

Flash :

Splitter :

Column :
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 13 of 14

Streams Results :
Process Modeling and Simulation Lab Page 14 of 14