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8435336 
Meetings & Symposia 
Reactions in catalytic reforming of naphthas 
Krane, HG; Groh, AB; Schulman, BL; Sinfelt, JH 
1959 
Energy Institute 
5th World Petroleum Congress, WPC 1959 
1959-May 
39-54 
English 
Catalytic reforming is the most important refinery process for octane improvement. Consequently, large incentives exist to design and operate it efficiently. The most efficient use of reforming requires a thorough knowledge of changes in molecular composition over a range of operating conditions. Such knowledge has been gained for hydrocarbons containing up to ten carbon atoms by reforming individual hydrocarbons and whole naphtha. n-Heptane was reformed at pressures from 150 to 450 psig and n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, benzene, methylcyclohexane, and toluene were reformed at 300 psig. The rate of cyclization of n-paraffins increases four-fold when the number of carbon atoms increase from six to seven. Cyclization rate is independent of pressure, but hydrocracking and isomerization rates increase as pressure is raised. Kinetic models have been developed for n-heptane and for the principal reactions of whole naphtha. Twenty rate equations for naphtha give conversion and formation of each molecule containing one to ten carbon atoms, wherein 53 reaction steps are covered. Calculated product compositions and yields compare well with experimental data.