Experimental Investigation and Kinetic Modeling of Naphtha Catalytic Reforming Using Pt-Re/Al2O3 Catalyst

Catalytic reforming is a process known in the refining industry to improve the quality of gasoline by increasing the octane number, the production of aromas, and hydrogen production as a byproduct. The purpose of this research is to develop a kinetic model for naphtha catalytic reforming reactions with consideration of simple and reliable assumptions and also to provide a mathematical model using mass balance. In the kinetic model, 22 lamps and 48 reactions are present. Also, in the mathematical model, the superficial velocity of the fluid is considered variable in the axial direction of the reactor. In order to evaluate the proposed model, laboratory tests have been used in 24 different operating conditions, which according to the results of the analysis of the products, the yield of liquid is observed in the range of 0.701 to 0.952. Also, using experimental results, the model parameters are obtained through optimization with MATLAB software. Finally, the results of comparing the predicted product distribution through the model with their experimental values showed that the proposed model with acceptable accuracy could predict the distribution of the products.