1.3 Quality

Commercial ethylbenzene is manufactured almost exclusively for captive use to produce styrene; only a small fraction is traded. Typically ethylbenzene has a purity of >99.5 % as determined by gas chromatography. The impurities are generally aromatic compounds in the range C6-C10 and non-aromatics in the C7-C10 range (oligomerization of ethylene, alkylation of the C6 non-aromatics in benzene).

The product specification for ethylbenzene is set to provide a satisfactory feedstock to the associated styrene unit, i.e. the levels of impurities are controlled to meet the required styrene purity specification. An assay of as low as 99 % in specifications for ethylbenzene is acceptable, provided that most of the impurities are benzene and toluene.

The majority of manufacturers have defined their sales specification according to American Standards and Test Methods ASTM D3193 “Standard Specification for Ethylbenzene”. Key parameters of a typical sales specification are: a minimum purity of 99.5 wt. % and a maximum colour of 10 on the Platinum-Cobalt Scale, while the specified impurities and their concentrations depend upon the manufacturing route employed, along with plant performance characteristics.

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