Catalytic reforming is a process used in oil refining with many positive results. The main objective of catalytic cracking is to convert heavy, low-octane, straight-run naphtha fractions that are specifically rich in napthenes convert it into a high-octane low sulfur reformate. This reformate and product of catalytic reforming is responsible for a large portion of major blending products for gasoline, in the gasoline pool. As a secondary positive outcome of catalytic reforming, the production of hydrogen as a byproduct is largely beneficial to the refinery in order to provide the hydrogen necessary for the important hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes used in the refinery as well.
The process of catalytic cracking is a chemical process with many steps. Since the main goal of the process is to maximize the octane number of the naphtha, the two most imperative reactions in the process are the conversion of napthenes to aromatics, as well as the isomerization of n-paraffins to i-paraffins. A catalyst is needed for catalytic reforming to take place, which can also pose a problem since the catalyst used in catalytic reforming contains platinum, palladium, and even bimetallic formulations of platinum with Iridium or Rhenium supported on alumina. When the platinum catalyst supported on a alumina is used, the process is referred to as platforming.
Even with the near perfection in execution of the chemistry in catalytic reforming performed by many companies, like Chevron and Exxon, the process still does have its limitations in the U.S. Those limitations stem from environmental regulations on the hydrocarbon contents of gasoline. The government has placed restrictions on the amount of benzene and aromatics contained in gasoline, and it is for this reason that alkylation has started to take strides putting it ahead of catalytic reforming in terms of productivity in increasing octane numbers of gasolines because alkylate, the product of alkylation, does not contain any aromatic or olefinic components.
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