The catalytic reforming process transforms low-octane naphtha from crude oil into high-octane gasoline blending stocks and aromatics through various chemical reactions, including dehydrogenation and isomerization. Developed in the 1940s by Vladimir Haensel, the process utilizes catalysts like platinum on aluminum support to improve octane ratings and remove impurities. Current processes are classified into semi-regenerative, cyclic regenerative, and continuous catalytic regeneration systems, with the overall aim of producing high-quality fuel for the petroleum and petrochemical industries.

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Catalytic Reforming ProcessCatalytic Reforming Process

2. Presented By:
IHSAN ALI WASSAN
(14CH18)
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
2
QUAID-E-AWAM UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NAWABSHAH, SINDH
PAKISTAN
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

3.  Catalytic Reforming Process?
 Purpose of Catalytic Reforming Process
 Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
 Process Steps in Catalytic Reforming
 Classification of Catalytic Reformer Process
 Conclusion
Presentation Outlines
3CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

4. BACKGROUND
In the 1940s, Vladimir Haensel, a research chemist working for Universal Oil
Products (UOP), developed a catalytic reforming process using
a catalyst containing platinum.
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Catalytic Reforming Process
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

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Catalytic Reforming Process
INTRODUCTION
Catalytic reforming is a chemical process used to convert petroleum
refinery naphthas distilled from crude oil (typically having low octane ratings)
into high-octane liquid products called reformates, which are premium blending
stocks for high-octane gasoline.
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

6. It transforms low octane naphtha into high-octane motor gasoline blending stock and
aromatics rich in benzene, toluene, and xylene with hydrogen and liquefied petroleum
gas as a byproduct.
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Catalytic Reforming Process
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

7. Catalytic Reforming Process
CATALYSTS
Typical catalysts that are used in catalytic reforming are mono-metallic, bi-
metallic or tri-metallic catalysts supported on aluminum, such as platinum
(Pt/Al2O3), Platinum-Iridium (Pt-Ir/Al2O3) or Platinum-Iridium-Tin (Pt-Ir-Sn/Al2O3)
respectively.
7CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

8. Catalytic Reforming Process
Various commercial catalytic reforming processes.
8CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

9. Catalytic Reforming Process
OCTANE NUMBER OF HYDROCARBONS
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Paraffins < Naphthenes <
Aromatics
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

10. Purpose of Catalytic Reforming Process
 To improve the octane number of the feedstock, especially of heavy naphtha.
 Reducing antiknock quality of naphtha.
10CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

11. Following are the most prevalent main reactions in catalytic reforming
1. Dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatics
2. Isomerisation of paraffins and naphthenes
3. Dehydrocyclisation of paraffins to aromatics
4. Hydrocracking of paraffins to lower molecular weight compounds
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Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

12. Dehydrogenation:
The dehydrogenation of naphthenes to convert them into aromatics.
Example:
Conversion of methylcyclohexane (a naphthene) to toluene (an aromatic).
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Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

13. Isomerisation:
The isomerisation of normal paraffins to convert them into isoparaffins.
Example:
The conversion of normal octane (n-paraffin) to 2,5-Dimethylhexane(an isoparaffin).
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Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

14. Dehydrocyclisation:
The dehydrogenation and aromatization of paraffins to aromatics (commonly called
dehydrocyclization).
Example: The conversion of normal heptane to toluene.
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Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

15. Hydrocracking:
The hydrocracking of paraffins into smaller molecules.
Example: The cracking of normal heptane into isopentane and ethane.
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Reactions in Catalytic Reforming
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

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Favorable Conditions for Different Reforming Reactions
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

17. Process Steps In Catalytic Reforming
Basic steps in catalytic reforming involve
Feed preparation: Naphtha Hydrotreatment
Preheating: Temperature Control,
Catalytic Reforming and Catalyst Circulation and Regeneration in case of
continuous reforming process
Product separation: Removal of gases and Reformate by fractional Distillation
Separation of aromatics in case of Aromatic production
17CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

18. NAPHTHA HYDRO TREATMENT
Naphtha hydrotreatment is important steps in the catalytic reforming process for
removal of the various catalyst poisons.
It eliminates the impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, halogens, oxygen, water,
olefins, di olefins, arsenic and other metals present in the naphtha feed stock to
have longer life catalyst.
18CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

19.  Sulphur: Mercaptans, disulphide, thiophenes and poison the platinum catalyst.
 Maximum allowable sulphur content 0.5 ppm or less and water content <4 ppm.
 Fixed bed reactor containing a nickel molybdenum where both hydro de sulphurisation
reactions and hydro de nitrification reactions take place.
 The catalyst is continuously regenerated.
 Liquid product from the reactor is then stripped to remove water and light
hydrocarbons.
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NAPHTHA HYDRO TREATMENT

20. NAPHTHA HYDRO TREATMENT
Various sections in the naphtha hydro treatment unit are:
Charge Heater:
Preheating reactor feedstock to reaction temperature of 340o
C.
Charge heater has four passes four gas burners.
Heater tubes are made up of SS-321
Reaction Section:
The reactor consists of two catalyst beds.
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21. NAPHTHA HYDRO TREATMENT
Stripping Section:
Stripping section uses air for stripping the light ends mainly hydrogen sulfide from
reactor product, stripper temperature 172o
C.
Stripper Reboiler:
Stripper reboiler supply heat required for striper.
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22. NAPHTHA HYDRO TREATMENT
Operating Variables Naphtha Hydrotreatmernt
•Reactor temperature
•Space velocity
•Hydrogen partial pressure
•H2/HC ratio, feed quality
•Stripper bottom temperature
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23. Hydrotreatment of Naphtha Flow Chart
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24. Classification of Catalytic Reformer Process
Current catalytic reforming processes are commonly classified into three types
based on regeneration systems work of the catalyst. These includes:
semi-regenerative catalytic reformer process (SRCRP)
cyclic regenerative catalytic reformer process (CRCRP)
continuous catalytic regeneration reformer process (CCRRP)
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25.  SRCRP is the oldest reforming process that is used for the production of gasoline
and rich aromatic compounds.
 It usually has three or four reactors in series with a fixed-bed catalyst system.
 A semi-regenerative process uses low platinum and regeneration is required only once
a year.
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Semi-Regenerative Catalytic Reformer Process
(SRCRP)
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

26.  The catalyst activity decreases gradually due to the formation of coke and affects
the yield of aromatics and the hydrogen by-product.
 This process can achieve an octane number in range of 85- 100, depending on the
feedstock, gasoline qualities, and required additives.
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Semi-Regenerative Catalytic Reformer Process
(SRCRP)

27. CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS 27
Schematic Process Diagram of SRCR

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Some of the Main Features, Advantages and Disadvantages of each Type
of Catalytic Reforming Processes
CATALYTIC REFORMING PROCESS

29. Conclusion
In the whole we can say that catalytic reforming process is one of the most important
processes in the petroleum and petrochemical industries which produce high octane
number gasoline.
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Thank You