ABSTRACT
A catalytic reformer is one of the major process units in oil refining, as this process unit is used in almost all of the oil refineries in the world. Catalytic reforming units are usually operated to convert low-octane heavy naphtha to a higher-octane liquid product referred to as reformate. The aromatic fraction of reformates contain benzene, toluene, and xylenes, which are separated out as desired and used as feedstocks in chemical plants. A key feature of the catalytic reforming process is its versatility in the processing of a variety of naphthas with a wide range of paraffin and naphthene concentrations. Naphthas containing olefins and diolefins could be present in some of the unsaturated naphthas produced in hydrocarbon conversion units such as fluid catalytic crackers and cokers. Several reactions occur during catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons. The five major reactions are naphthene dehydrogenation, isomerization of paraffins, paraffin dehydrocyclization, hydrocracking of paraffins, and hydrodealkylation of alkyl aromatics.
