A method is provided herein for the extraction of phenol from a waste water
stream. The method is used in conjunction with a process for producing
acetone and phenol from cumene. The method for extracting phenol from
waste water includes contacting in a countercurrent mode a
phenol-containing waste water stream with a hydrocarbon stream derived
from a bottoms stream from the acetone finishing column to produce a
dephenolated waste water stream and a phenol-containing hydrocarbon
stream. The phenol-containing hydrocarbon stream is preferably washed with
an aqueous caustic solution to provide a hydrocarbon stream, which is then
conveyed to the alpha-methylstyrene recovery system. Preferably the
hydrocarbon stream derived from the bottoms stream of the acetone
finishing column is water washed prior to contacting the phenol-containing
waste water stream.
