Catalytic Reforming

The aim of this process is to improve the octane number of a naphtha feedstock by changing its chemical composition. Hydrocarbon compounds differ greatly in their octane ratings due to differences in structure.

In general, aromatics have higher octane ratings than paraffins and cycloparaffins. Similar to aromatics, branched paraffins have high octane ratings. The octane number of a hydrocarbon mixture is a function of the octane numbers of the different components and their ratio in the mixture.

Table 1.1 : Analysis of feed and products from viscosity breaking

Increasing the octane number of a low-octane naphtha fraction is achieved by changing the molecular structure of the low octane number components. Many reactions are responsible for this change, such as the dehydrogenation of naphthenes and the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics. Catalytic reforming is considered the key process for obtaining benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). These aromatics are important intermediates for the production of many chemicals.