This invention relates to a method for separating a stream having benzene, toluene and alkyl benzene, said method comprising: feeding the stream into a first distillation column, wherein the stream comprises between about 60 mole percent to about 85 mole percent toluene, between about seven mole percent to about 20 mole percent benzene, and between about seven mole percent to about 20 mole percent alkyl benzene; separating the steam into a first mixture stream and a second mixture stream; feeding the first mixture stream and the second mixture stream into a distillation system; separating the first mixture stream and the second mixture stream into a first product stream, a system recycle stream, and a second product stream.