ABSTRACT
The typical catalytic reforming process is designed to convert a low-aromatics naphtha feedstock to a stabilized reformate stream high in aromatics. Commercial reformer units consist of a reactor section and a fractionation section. The reactor section consists of a feed system, several pairs of heaters, and reactors in series followed by a flash drum. A portion of the flashed hydrogen is recycled to the feed prior to entering the first heater: The flash liquid is then sent to the fractionation section with a distillation tower frequently referred to as the stabilizer. Some units incorporate a recontactor section to increase the hydrogen purity of the net gas stream. The light ends are stripped from the flash liquid to form an off-gas and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stream off of the top of the stabilizer. The stabilizer bottoms product is referred to as the reformate. Several heater reactor pairs are used in the process to maintain the reactor temperature profiles within an operating range of roughly 750-950°F (400-500°C). To achieve these relatively simple tasks in a commercial environment requires a complex set of integrated systems referred to as the management of a catalytic reformer.
