Abstract: The C8 aromatics isomerization catalyst RIC-270 for ethylbenzene conversion, developed by SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, was applied in SINOPEC Yangzi Petrochemical Company's No. 2 para-xylene plant. The adaptability of RIC-270 catalyst to high ethylbenzene content feedstock was investigated. The application results showed that the isomerization activity of RIC-270 catalyst reached more than 23.3 %, ethylbenzene conversion rate reached 36.5 %, and C8 ring loss was 1.7 %. The average C8 aromatics loss was as low as 2.5 % under the harsh operating conditions of high load and high conversion rate, the temperature and pressure rising rate was low. The catalyst has high activity and selectivity, good stability, and remarkable economic benefits.

Key words: C8 aromatics, ethylbenzene, para-xylene, isomerization, catalyst