Washed cleavage product (WCP) in a phenol manufacturing process is treated
to remove sodium ions. The WCP is contacted with a cation exchange resin
in hydrogen form, and then with anion exchange resin in free base or
hydroxide form, to produce a WCP essentially free of sodium ions. The
cation and anion exchange resins are regenerated with acid and caustic,
respectively. The treatment improves productivity and product quality of
new and existing phenol processes.
