Abstract: In order to improve the quality and application scope of the distillation bottom product of heavy alkyl benzene (HAB), three decolorization methods including adsorption (using clay or activated carbon as adsorbent), catalytic hydrogenation and the combination of adsorption and hydrogenation, were investigated. By studying factors affecting the decolorization, it was found that both adsorption and hydrogenation methods were effective when the colourity of HAB was moderate, and between the two adsorbents the decolorization performance of activated carbon was better. Anyway, when the colourity of HAB was poor, good decolorization performance could be observed only with the combination method.

Key words: heavy alkyl benzene, decolorization, hydrogenation, active carbon, clay