Conversion is about 30%.
Two side reactions of EB also take place, one to benzene and ethylene, and the other, with the hydrogen formed in the first reaction, to toluene and methane.
Superheated steam is fed to the reactor along with the vapourised EB at a ratio of 1.7:1 of fresh EB feed. This serves a number of purposes: as a heat carrier, as a diluent reducing product partial pressure and shifting the reaction equilibrium, but most significantly to increase and prolong catalyst activity.
The boiling points of the organic liquids are
The separation section first removes gases and separates water from organics in a 3-phase flash after cooling to a suitable temperature. Styrene is then separated from the other species by distillation. Ethylbenzene is then separated for recycle and the mixed byproducts exported. Note that it is not possible here to avoid taking important products from the bottom of columns.