Naphtha reforming on mono and bimetallic catalysts

QUERINI,C.A.; FIGOLI, N.S.; PARERA, J.M.

APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL

Año: 1987 vol. 32 p. 133 - 143

0926-860X

Catalytic activity, selectivity and stability in the reforming of several naphtha cuts on Pt/Al2O3, Pt-Re-S/Al2O3 and Pt-Ge/Al2O3 were studied by carrying out activity-deactivation tests which consist of three periods. During the first and third periods, industrial conditions were reproduced, and during the second one, pressure and H2/hydrocarbon ratio were decreased in order to accelerate the deactivation. The results are compared with those obtained in the reforming of n-paraffins and cyclopentanes, showing an agreement with the qualitative performance of the catalysts. Pt-Re-S/Al2O3 is the most active catalyst; Pt-Ge/Al2O3 is the one showing the largest liquid yield, and Pt/Al2O3 is the catalyst producing the largest volume of gas. Coke deposited on the catalysts shows a minimum for a feed with a mean boiling point of 110°C. This minimum, on one hand is the result of the greater coking capacity of the naphthenes with five carbon atom rings present in the lighter cuts and, on the other hand, is caused by the presence of 8, 9 and 10 carbon atom paraffins and aromatics present in the heavier cuts. From the results obtained on each of the catalysts, reactor performance can be improved using simultaneously two bimetallic catalysts in separate beds.