The present invention relates to a process for producing
benzene comprising the steps of: a) separating a source feedstream comprising C5-C12 hydrocarbons including
benzene and
alkylbenzenes into a first feedstream comprising a higher proportion of
benzene than the source feedstream and a second feedstream comprising a lower proportion of benzene than the source feedstream and subsequently, b) contacting the first feedstream in the presence of
hydrogen with a first hydrocracking catalyst comprising 0.01-1 wt-% hydrogenation
metal in relation to the total catalyst weight and a
zeolite having a pore size (as shown in the description) and a silica (SiO2) to
alumina (Al2O3)
molar ratio of 5-200 under first
process conditions to produce a first product
stream comprising benzene, wherein the first
process conditions include a temperature of 425-580 DEG C, a pressure of 300-5000 kPa gauge and a Weight Hourly
Space Velocity of 0.1-15 h-1, and c) contacting the second feedstream with
hydrogen under second
process conditions to produce a second product
stream comprising benzene, wherein i) the second process conditions are suitable for hydrocracking and step (c) involves contacting the second feedstream in the presence of
hydrogen with a second hydrocracking catalyst comprising 0.01-1 wt-% hydrogenation
metal in relation to the total catalyst weight and a
zeolite having a pore size of 5-8 and a silica (SiO2) to
alumina (Al2O3)
molar ratio of 5-200 under the second process conditions which include a temperature of 300-600 DEG C, a pressure of 300-5000 kPa gauge and a Weight Hourly
Space Velocity of 0.1-15 h-1, ii) the second process conditions are suitable for
toluene disproportionation and involve contacting the second feedstream with a
toluene disproportionation catalyst, or iii) the second process conditions are suitable for
hydrodealkylation.