Catalytic processes reforming

Mixtures of CO—H2 produced from hydrocarbons, as shown in the first two of these reactions, ate called synthesis gas. Synthesis gas is a commercial intermediate from which a wide variety of chemicals are produced. A principal, and frequendy the only source of hydrogen used in refineries is a by-product of the catalytic reforming process for making octane-contributing components for gasoline (see Gasoline and OTHER MOTOR fuels), eg. 

Plants have now been installed by some manufacturers to produce ethylbenzene via catalytic reforming processes. The reforming process is one which converts aliphatic hydrocarbons into a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons. This may be subsequently fractionated to give benzene, toluene and a xylene fraction from which ethylbenzene may be obtained. 

A catalytic reforming process produces similar products. The relative amounts may differ, however, depending on the catalyst selectivity and process conditions, the main product, of course, is a high octane C, -1- gasoline fraction. 

Ethylbenzene (EB) is a colorless aromatic liquid with a boiling point of 136.2°C, very close to that of p-xylene. This complicates separating it from the Cg aromatic equilibrium mixture obtained from catalytic reforming processes. (See Chapter 2 for separation of Cg aromatics). Ethylbenzene obtained from this source, however, is small compared to the synthetic route. 

Catforming [Catalytic reforming] A catalytic reforming process using a platinum catalyst on a silica/alumina support. Developed by the Atlantic Refining Company and first operated in 1952. 

Fluid Hydroforming An early catalytic reforming process in which the catalyst was used in a continuously regenerated fluidized bed. Developed by the MW Kellogg Company. 

Hon (Informing A continuous catalytic reforming process for producing aromatic concentrates and high-octane gasoline. It used a fixed bed of a platinum catalyst. Developed in the 1950s by the Houdiy Process Corporation. 

Magnaforming A catalytic reforming process developed by the Atlantic Richfield Corporation and Englehard Corporation. First announced in 1965, it was commercialized in 1967 and by 1988, 150 units were operating worldwide. Hydrocarbon Research has installed units in Argentina, Algeria, and the USSR. 

Orthoforming A fluidized-bed catalytic reforming process. Developed by the MW Kellogg Company in 1953 and first operated commercially in 1955. 

Powerforming A catalytic reforming process, based on a platinum catalyst. Developed by Esso Research Engineering Company. First commercialized in Baltimore in 1955, and now widely licensed. 

Rheniforming [Rhenium reforming] A catalytic reforming process developed by Chevron Research Company. The catalyst formulation includes rhenium. First announced in 1967 and first commercialized in 1970 by 1988, 73 units had been licensed. 

Silamit P3 A cyclic catalytic reforming process for making town gas from oil, similar to the UGI Process. Developed by Gaz de France and built by Silamit Indugas, Dtisseldorf, Germany. Gas Making and Natural Gas, British Petroleum Co., London, 1972, 94. 

Sovaforming [Socony Vacuum reforming] A catalytic reforming process, using a platinum catalyst in a fixed bed. Developed by the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company in 1954. Subsequently renamed Platinum Reforming, or PR. 

SSC [Statione Sperimentale per i Combustibili] A cyclic catalytic reforming process for making gas from oil. Developed by SSC, Milan. 

STAR [Steam Active Re-forming] A catalytic reforming process for converting aliphatic hydrocarbons to olefins or aromatic hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons containing five or fewer carbon atoms are converted to olefins. Those containing six or more are dehydrocy-clized to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reactions take place in the vapor phase, in a fixed catalyst bed containing a noble metal catalyst, in the presence of steam. Demonstrated on a semi-commercial scale and offered for license by Phillips Petroleum Company. The first commercial plant was built for Coastal Chemicals in Cheyenne, WY, in 1992 another for Polibutenos Argentinos in 1996. 

UGI [United Gas Improvement Company Also called Ugite. A regenerative catalytic reforming process for making town gas and liquid hydrocarbons from oil. The catalyst was a fixed bed of hot, refractory pebbles. Developed by UGI Company, Philadelphia, PA, in the early 1940s. 

Ultraforming A catalytic reforming process developed by Standard Oil of Indiana and licensed by Amoco Oil Company. The catalyst contains platinum and rhenium, contained in a swing reactor - one that can be isolated from the rest of the equipment so that the catalyst can be regenerated while the unit is operating. The first unit was commissioned in 1954. 

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