Authors
Abstract
In the present work experimental and simulation studies have been carried out
to describe the reaction kinetics of catalytic reforming process using Iraqi heavy
naphtha as a feedstock. Two types of bi-metals catalysts were prepared (Pt-
Sn/Al2O3 and Pt-Ir/Al2O3) supported on γ-Al2O3.
The main three described reforming reactions were investigated (dehydrogenation,
dehydrocyclization, and hydrocracking) to characterize catalysts performance in
term of activity and selectivity. The performances of catalysts were investigated
under the following operating conditions: reaction temperature range of 480-510
˚C, weight hour space velocity range of 1-2 hr-1, pressure at 6 atm, and hydrogen to
hydrocarbon ratio of 4:1.
The results showed that the higher conversion of Iraqi heavy naphtha
components (i.e., paraffins and naphthenes) increased with temperature whereas,
weight hourly space velocity has shown inverse impact on conversion. On the
other hand, it was concluded that the yields of aromatics and high components are
increased for both types of catalysts (Pt-Sn/Al2O3 and Pt-Ir/Al2O3) under the same
operating conditions.
A comprehensive mathematical model and simulation was developed in the
present work to describe the reaction kinetics of reforming reactions. The
comparison between the concentration of (paraffin’s, naphthenes, and aromatics),
and temperature profile of experimental and simulation results showed a good
agreement and the deviation confined between them in the range of 1.93% to
14.51%.
Keywords
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