ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF CATALYTIC REFORMER

Abstract

Growth of high powered and high compression i'atio engines require a fuel with high octane rating. Further large amounts of low molecular weight aromatics are required by petrochemical industry. Catalytic reforming of naphtha makes it possible to meet these requirements. Catalytic reforming of naphtha reforms the paraffins and naphthenes mainly to aromatics, though some hydrocracking to low value products invariably occur. In, India reformer capacities are small as compared to the world trend and largest capacity reforming unit to treat 250,000 tons/year of naphtha is planned for Mathura Refinery. Reforming is carried out at high pnra-s..- sure and moderately high temperature using expensive noble metal catalyst. For the optimal design and opera-tion of reformer a simulated mathematical model is required, which can realistically describe the performance of the reactor for feed forligmland feed back control as well as off-line and on-line optimization. Catalytic reforming of naphtha is carried out generally in three or four fixed bed reactors in series, except in some reactor plants using the U.O.P. moving bed process. Reactors are of sane size if swing reactor.....................