SENSITIVITY OF CATALYTIC NAPHTHA REFORMERS TO DIFFERENT PARAMETERS

The effects of different parameters upon the performance of catalytic naphtha reformers have been studied theoretically. The model used was First validated by two sets of data from two different commercial units, and then it was used to evaluate the effects of operating conditions on the performance of a naphtha reformer. The effects of inlet temperature, operating pressure, ratio of H2 recycle/feed flow rate and catalyst weight distribution in the reactors were examined. The results indicate that (a) the yield ofaromaties becomes greater by increasing the inlet temperatures, and (b) the operating pressure has no appreciable effect on the yield. Under identical operating conditions, the maximum yield of ai-oinatics will be obtained when the catalyst is distributed in three successive reactors in weight fractions of 0.3/0.3/0.4. These effects were studied for the operating conditions of the Shiraz refinery.