Patent ID: 6284128
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A reforming process for upgrading a naphtha feedstock to obtain an aromatics-enriched, low-olefin product comprising reforming the feedstock with a catalyst comprising a supported platinum-group metal component in a reforming zone in the presence of hydrogen at reforming conditions to obtain an olefin-containing reformate, exchanging heat between the reformate and the feedstock in a feed-effluent indirect heat exchange zone, withdrawing at least a portion of the reformate from an intermediate point in the heat exchange zone, contacting the withdrawn, unseparated reformate in a saturation zone with a saturation catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal component and a refractory inorganic oxide at saturation conditions including a pressure of from about 1 atmosphere to 20 atmospheres absolute, a liquid hourly space velocity of from about 1 to 40 hr.sup.-1 and a temperature within a range as defined by:minimum temperature,.degree. K={528/[1-0.021 In (200*{H.sub.2 partial pressure}.sup.3)]}andmaximum temperature,.degree. K={827/[1-0.056 In (0.4*H.sub.2 partial pressure/% C.sub.6 +paraffins)]},wherein H.sub.2 partial pressure is expressed in atmospheres and C.sub.6 +paraffins as mass-% of the feedstock, to obtain a saturated reformate and returning the saturated reformate to the heat exchanger.