IN OIL REFINING

Reforming (Section 2 16) Step in oil refining in which the pro portion of aromatic and branched chain hydrocarbons in petroleum is increased so as to improve the octane rating of gasoline... 

Another sulfur dioxide appHcation in oil refining is as a selective extraction solvent in the Edeleanu process (323), wherein aromatic components are extracted from a kerosene stream by sulfur dioxide, leaving a purified stream of saturated aHphatic hydrocarbons which are relatively insoluble in sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide acts as a cocatalyst or catalyst modifier in certain processes for oxidation of o-xylene or naphthalene to phthaHc anhydride (324,325). 

Another recent new application of a microporous materials in oil refining is the use of zeolite beta as a solid acid system for paraffin alkylation [3]. This zeolite based catalyst, which is operated in a slurry phase reactor, also contains small amounts of Pt or Pd to facilitate catalyst regeneration. Although promising, this novel solid acid catalyst system, has not as yet been applied commercially. 

The reactor system works nicely and two model systems were studied in detail catalytic hydrogenation of citral to citronellal and citronellol on Ni (application in perfumery industty) and ring opening of decalin on supported Ir and Pt catalysts (application in oil refining to get better diesel oil). Both systems represent very complex parallel-consecutive reaction schemes. Various temperatures, catalyst particle sizes and flow rates were thoroughly screened. 

Biocatalysis in Oil Refining, edited by M.M. Ramirez-Corredores and Abhijeet P. Borole... 

Dixson, S., Quality products, in The Importance of Conversion Processes in Oil Refining and their Role in the Production of Clean Fuels. 2006. IFP - Rueil-Malmaison, 20-22 June OAPEC-IFP JOINT SEMINAR. 

---