Reforming catalysts

The reforming process reconfigures low-octane linear hydrocarbons (paraffins) in heavy naphtha into branched alkanes (isoparaffins) and cyclic naphthenes. The reconfigured molecules are then partially dehydrogenated to produce high-octane aromatic hydrocarbon gasoline blending components.

Byproducts including hydrogen, methane, ethane, propane, and butane are generated, where hydrogen is used in other hydrogen intensive refining processes such as the hydrocracking process, and light paraffins can be further upgraded to more valuable products.

Reforming products are also the primary source of aromatic bulk chemicals such as benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene, raw materials for the production of petrochemicals.

Early processes were fixed bed configurations, requiring periodic (cyclic) shut down and regeneration of the catalyst. Later processes included a swing reactor, allowing for online regeneration of the catalysts while the other reactors remain in operation. While the majority of the reforming units are of this semi-regenerative (SRR) configuration, more recently moving bed, continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) processes are preferred and therefore represent the majority of the newer units in operation.

Rezel’s reforming catalysts offers improved coke selectivity, allowing for increased capacity, and improved stability for longer life and extended run length. Compared to industry benchmarks, Rezel’s CCR catalyst provides improved conversion, selectivity, and overall yield.

Our portfolio of reforming catalysts include: