Chemistry of Catalytic Reforming

C, 0.356—1.069 m H2/L (2000—6000 fU/bbl) of Hquid feed, and a space velocity (wt feed per wt catalyst) of 1—5 h. Operation of reformers at low pressure, high temperature, and low hydrogen recycle rates favors the kinetics and the thermodynamics for aromatics production and reduces operating costs. However, all three of these factors, which tend to increase coking, increase the deactivation rate of the catalyst therefore, operating conditions are a compromise. More detailed treatment of the catalysis and chemistry of catalytic reforming is available (33—35). Typical reformate compositions are shown in Table 6. 

The chemistry of catalytic reforming includes the reactions listed in Table 18. All are desirable except hydrocracking, which converts valuable Cs-plus molecules into light gases. The conversion of naphthenes to aromatics and the isomerization of normal paraffins provide a huge boost in octane. H2 is produced by dehydrocyclization of paraffins and naphthene dehydrogenation, which are shown in Figure 15. 

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