Catalytic reforming of a relatively lean charge stock

Abstract

Abstract A relatively lean hydrocarbon charge stock boiling in the gasoline range is catalytically reformed by contacting the charge stock, hydrogen and a halogen or a halogen-containing compound, in an essentially water-free reforming zone, with a reforming catalyst containing a platinum group component and a rhenium component at reforming conditions selected to produce a high octane C5+ reformate for a first period extending until the C5+ volume yield decreases to an unacceptable value, and, thereafter by continuously adding water or a water-producing compound to the reforming zone in an amount corresponding to about 5 to 50 weight parts per million of the hydrocarbon charge stock while continuing the contacting operation. Key feature of the subject process involves a two-step operation with this platinum-rhenium catalyst wherein the first step is operated at essentially waterfree conditions with halogen inclusion and wherein the second step utilizes a carefully selected amount of water to effect a substantial improvement in the operation of the process.

Inventors

• 👤 Michael W Schrepfer

Bibliographic Details