This work is focused on the analysis, modelling and scale-up of a process of styrene purification. The first step in synthetic rubber production is to eliminate 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) which is added to styrene to prevent homopolymerisation during transport and storage. This process is carried out on an industrial scale by means of adsorption onto activated alumina. Equilibrium experiments at 10degreesC correlated to the Langmuir-Freundlich equation: q = 1.73 x 10(-3) C-0.05 / 1 + 8.36 x 10(-3) C-0.05 with a weighted standard deviation of 3.38%. Fixed bed column experiments were carried out on a laboratory scale to obtain breakthrough curves. A mathematical model that considers film and pore mass transfer resistances described satisfactorily the experimental results with a value of D-P = 3.96 x 10(-9)m(2)s(-1) which was obtained from correlation of experimental data to simulated curves. Finally, a pilot plant was built and operated in order to verify the validity of the mathematical model and parameters obtained previously.