Reforming

Aqeel Ahmad TAIMOOR

Reforming
• Why: Internal combustion engines has optimum compression ratios

• Why: Smooth burning of the fuel at these optimum compression ratios is a

pre-requisite

• Process: Reforming = changing molecular hydrocarbons into aromatics

• Feed Stock: chains/naphthas having 7 or more carbons forms the feed stock
(Why not 6? or more than 8,9?)

• Product: This increases the octane number of the fuel – Antiknocking

measure
Reforming

• First plant was established in 1949

• Because of reforming hydrogen is produced

• Process is also used to increase in the aromatics percentage for BTX

plants

• Catalyst - Platinum (Sometimes Rhenium)

Octane Number
• RON (Research Octane Number) for gasoline
Components of Motor Fuel
• P – Paraffins

• O – Olefins

• N – Naphthenes

• A – Aromatics

(PONA, it is now converted to PNA)

 Process Reactions
• Paraffins are isomerized to Naphthenes. Naphthenes then subsequently converted to aromatics.

• Olefins are saturated to form paraffins (Old Process), which then react as above.

• Naphthenes are converted to Aromatic

• Aromatics are left essentially unchanged.

• Dealkylation of side chains on Naphthenes and aromatics to form butane and lighter paraffins

• Cracking of paraffins and Naphthenes to form butane and lighter paraffins

Reactions in reforming
There are four major reactions that take place during reforming. They are:

(1) dehydrogenation of Naphthenes to aromatics

(2) dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics

(3) isomerization, and

(4) hydrocracking.

The first two of these reactions involve dehydrogenation and will be

discussed together.
Dehydrogenation of Naphthenes (Desirable)

• Reaction is highly endothermic and rapid

• High Temperature & Low Pressure

• Catalyst metal function promotes this reaction

Isomerization of Paraffins and Naphthenes

• Desirable

• Acidic support of the catalyst supports this reaction

• Ring opening is involved, it can also create branched chains (High Octane
number but not good for BTX plant)
Dehydrocyclization of Paraffins (Desireable)

• This is the most difficult reaction (Favored by low pressure), But why
the low pressure is not a good idea?)

• The competing reaction with the above is cracking

Hydrocracking and Dealkylation
(Undesirable)

Hydrogen is consumed
in these reactions!
Overall Process Reaction

Platforming is a
reforming process by
UOP
Heat of Reactions
Concentration Profiles along reactor length
Relative Reaction Rates (Conversion)
Relative Reaction Rates (Cyclopentanes)
Relative Reaction Rates (Paraffins)
Feed Properties

• Feed must be free from:

• Metals
• Hydrogen sulphide
• Ammonia
• Organic Nitrogen
• Organic Sulphur

• Boiling Range – 100oC – 180oC

Feed and its Conversion
Feed and its Conversion
Process Flow Diagram (Semi Regenerative SR)
Process Flow Diagram (SR) Simpler version
PFD Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR)
PFD Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR)
 CCR Advantages
• Higher yield at low pressures, if SR is
operated at these conditions the
catalyst will deactivate quickly
• In CCR conversion remain constant
over a length of time
Relative Severities SR and CCR
Yield Comparison of SR and CCR
Estimated Erected Cost
Operating Economics Comparison