Separation of cyclic compounds with molecular sieve adsorbent

Claim 1

A process for separating two structurally similar cyclic hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and xylenes, said process comprising: A. contacting a fluid feed mixture comprising said cyclic hydrocarbons with a solid adsorbent comprising a partially dehydrated, substantially crystalline alumino-silicate sodium Y zeolite having a critical pore diameter greater than about 6A, the ratio Al/Si of the alumino-silicate framework of the zeolite being in the range of 0.65-0.2, the zeolite having been partially dehydrated to a water content of 6-20 weight percent exposure to a temperature in the range of 80°-300°C., whereby there is obtained a rich adsorbent containing an adsorbate which is richer in one said cyclic hydrocarbon than was said fluid feed mixture, and a raffinate product which contains less of the one said cyclic hydrocarbon than did said fluid feed mixture; B. separating said raffinate product from said rich adsorbent and, C. removing the one said cyclic hydrocarbon from said rich adsorbent.