Para-xylene (p-xylene) is an important chemical intermediate in the manufacture of polyester fi bers. It is produced in high volume (around 109 kg/year). Consider a mixed stream of 60% m-xylene, 14% p-xylene, 9% o-xylene, and 17% ethylbenzene, as shown in the following fi gure. To manufacture polyester, pure p-xylene is needed.

What do you thing would be a good way to achieve this product? Some physical property data are reported in the following table.

Transcribed Image Text:

CH3 m-Xylene (60%) CH3 CH3 CH3 p-Xylene (14%) CH3 o-Xylene (9%) CH 3 HO CH3 Ethylbenzene (17%)