PROCESS FOR MULTISTAGE CATALYTIC REFORMING WITH INTERSTAGE AROMATICS REMOVALS

Abstract: A process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock wherein the reforming is conducted in two or more stages, whereby each stage is separated from another stage by aromatics removal from the reaction stream of a preceding stage. The resulting aromatics-lean stream is passed to a downstream reforming stage. At least one of the downstream reactors operates at a lower pressure. The catalyst in the downstram reactors(s) is a bimettalic catalyst or a crystalline aluminosilicate which contains a noble metal.

Description: CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention relates to a process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock. The reforming is conducted in multiple stages with aromatics separation between stages. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Catalytic reforming is a well established refinery process for improving the octane quality of naphthas or straight run gasolines. Reforming cart be defined as the total effect of the molecular changes, or hydrocarbon reactions, produced by dehydrogenation of cyclohexanes, dehydroisomerization of alkylcyclopentanes, and dehydrocyclization of paraffins and olefins to yield aromatics; isomerization of n-paraffins; isomerization of alkylcycloparaffins to yield cyclohexanes; isomerization of substituted aromatics; and hydrocracking of paraffins which produces gas, and inevitably coke, the latter being deposited on the catalyst. In catalytic reforming, a multifunctional catalyst is usually employed which contains a metal hydrogenation-dehydrogenation (hydrogen transfer) component, or components, usually platinum, substantially atomically dispersed on the surface of a porous, inorganic oxide support, such as alumina. The support, which usually contains a halide, particularly chloride, provides the acid functionality needed for isomerization, cyclization, and hydrocracking reactions. Reforming reactions are both endothermic arc exothermic, the former being predominant, particularly in the early stages of reforming with the latter being predominant in the latter stages. In view thereof, it has become the practice to employ a reforming unit comprised of a plurality of serially connected reactors with provision for heating of the reaction stream from one reactor to another. There are three major types of reforming: semi-regenerative, cyclic, and continuous. Fixed-bed reactors are usually employed in semiregenerative and cyclic reforming and moving-bed reactors in continuous reforming. In semiregenerative reforming, the entire reforming process unit is operated by gradually and progressively increasing the temperature to compensate for deactivation of the catalyst caused by coke deposition, until finally the entire unit is shut-down for regeneration and reactivation of the catalyst. In cyclic reforming, the reactors are individually isolated, or in effect swung out of line, by various piping arrangements. The catalyst is regenerated by removing coke deposits, and then reactivated while the other reactors of the series remain on stream. The "swing reactor" temporarily replaces a reactor which is removed from the series for regeneration and reactivation of the catalyst, which is then put back in the series. In continuous reforming, the reactors are moving-bed reactors, as opposed to fixed-bed reactors, with continuous addition and withdrawal of catalyst and catalyst is regenerated in a separate regeneration vessel. Through the years, many process variations have been proposed to improve such things as C₅⁺ liquid (a relatively high octane product stream) yield and/or octane quality of the product stream from catalytic reforming. For example, if a product of high octane is desired, e.g. 100 or higher RON (research octane number), the severity of reforming must be increased. This can generally be accomplished by reducing the space velocity or increasing reaction temperature. While increased severity for obtaining a higher octane product is desirable, it has disadvantages. For example, high severity usually: (i) reduces the yield of C₅⁻ as a percent of the naphtha feedstock; (ii) usually causes more rapid accumulation of coke on the catalyst, thus rapidly decreasing the activity of the catalyst and requiring more frequent regeneration. For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,970,106 teaches reforming to a relatively high octane (99.9 RON) followed by two stage distillation to produce three different streams: a light, intermediate, and heavy boiling stream. The intermediate stream, which contains C₇ and C₈ aromatics, is subjected to permeation by use of a semipermeable membrane resulting in an aromatics-rich stream and an aromatics-lean stream, both of which are distilled to achieve further isolation of aromatics. It is also taught that the aromatics-lean stream from the permeation process may be combined with a low octane stream from hydroformate distillation and further hydroformed, or isomerized, to improve octane number. It is further taught that the total hydroformate may be processed using the permeation process. Partial or low severity reforming, followed by aromatics separation, followed by further reforming with a stream containing a significant fraction of the paraffins in the original feedstock is not suggested in U.S. Patent No. 2,970,106. Operation of the first-stage at high octane (99.9 RON) would result in very high conversion of feed paraffins. For example a key paraffin, n-heptane and its various isomers, would be about 46 to 54% converted at 99.9 RON for a petroleum naphtha cut (185°/330°F) comprised of 59% paraffins, 27% naphthenes, and 14% aromatics, which percents are liquid volume percent on total paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics present in the feed. In accordance with the process of the present invention, conversion of the n-heptane and its various isomers would be only about 11 to 14% in the first reforming stage-thus allowing more selective (less paraffin cracking) conversion to aromatics in the lower pressure second-stage. Also, U.S. Patent No. 3,883,418 teaches reforming a feedstock in the presence of hydrogen over a bifunctional catalyst in a first stage to convert naphthenes to aromatics, followed by distillation of the first stage product to produce an intermediate boiling (120-260°F) material which is subjected to extractive distillation to produce an aromatics-rich extract and an aromatics-lean raffinate. The aromatics-lean, or paraffins-rich, raffinate is then reformed in the presence of steam over a steam-stable catalyst. Steam reforming employs a steam reaction atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst having a relatively low surface area aluminate support material. Reforming, in accordance with the present invention, employs a hydrogen reaction atmosphere, in the substantial absence of steam, and in the presence of a catalyst having a relatively high surface area support material, such as gamma alumina. Further, U.S. Patent No. 4,206,035 teaches a process similar to U.S. Patent No., 3 ,883 ,418, except that solvent extraction is used to remove aromatics instead of extractive distillation, and the aromatics-lean fraction sent to steam reforming is restricted to carbon numbers between 5 and 9. Also, specific hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratios and steam to hydrocarbon ratios are required. U.S. Patent No. 2,933,455 teaches a catalytic reforming process wherein the entire feedstock is first fractionated. The resulting 140° to 210°F and 260° to 420°F fractions are reformed in the presence of hydrogen in parallel reformers. In the reforming of the 140° to 210°F fraction, the reforming severity is set such that naphthenes are converted to benzene and toluene and the resulting reformate is treated to remove aromatics. The remaining stream, containing at least 80 percent paraffins (primarily those containing 6 and 7 carbon atoms) is blended with the heavy 260° to 420°F fraction and reformed in a second reformer. This reference teaches restricting the hydrocarbons reformed prior to aromatics removal to only the light naphtha components which form C₆ and C₇ aromatics. In addition, it teaches further reforming of the light paraffin-rich stream remaining after aromatics removal, in admixture with a heavy feed which is rich in aromatics and naphthenes. Further, U.S. Patent No. 3,640,818 teaches a process wherein virgin and cracked naphthas are reformed in a first stage and the reaction stream passed to solvent extraction where aromatics are removed. The paraffin-rich raffinate is passed to second stage reforming at pressure the same or higher than the first stage. The present invention provides a process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of hydrogen in a reforming process unit comprising a plurality of serially connected reactors, each reactor containing a supported noble metal-containing reforming catalyst composition, wherein: (a) said process unit includes at least one upstream stage and at least one downstream stage, each stage comprising one or more reactors, (b) at least a portion of the aromatics content is removed from the reaction stream between the stages thereby resulting in an aromatics-rich stream and an aromatics-lean stream, (c) at least a portion of said aromatics-lean stream is passed to the next downstream stage, in the substantial absence of non-reformed hydrocarbonaceous feed, characterised in that: (i) said downstream stage(s) is operated in the absence of steam, (ii) the catalyst composition employed in said downstream stage(s) comprises either (a) at least one Group VIII noble metal and at least one promoter metal selected from metals of Groups IIIA, IVA, IB, VIB, and VIIB on a support of inorganic oxide, or (b) a noble metal on a crystalline aluminosilicate, (iii) said upstream stage(s) is operated at a pressure within the range of from 207 to 6895 kPa (30 to 1000 psig) and said downstream stage(s) is operated at a pressure within the range of from 207 to 1378 kPa (30 to 200 psig) provided that such pressure is at least 172 kPa (25 psig) lower than the pressure prevailing in said upstream stage(s). The downstream stage or stages are preferably operated such that gaseous products are not recycled. The upstream stage(s) may be conducted at low severity to convert most of the alkylcyclohexanes and alkylcyclopentanes to aromatics with minimum conversion, especially cracking, of paraffins. The downstream stage(s) may then be processed at relatively high severity, although at lower pressure. Practice of the present invention results in a significantly higher yield of hydrogen and of C₅⁺ liquid as a percent of the naphtha stock. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, separation of the reaction stream into an aromatics-rich and an aromatics-lean stream is accomplished by permeation using a semipermeable membrane, adsorption, distillation, or extraction. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, separation of the product stream is accomplished by use of a semipermeable membrane comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethanes, and polyurea/urethanes. In other preferred embodiments of the downstream catalyst composition, the noble metal is platinum, a halide, preferably chloride, is present and the inorganic oxide support is alumina. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reforming process unit contains two stages, wherein the first stage is operated in semiregenerative mode and the second stage is operated in cyclic mode. Brief Description of the Figure The sole figure hereof depicts a simplified flow diagram of a preferred reforming process unit of the present invention. The reforming process unit is comprised of a first stage which includes a lead reactor and a first downstream reactor operated in semiregenerative mode, wherein the reaction stream of the first stage is separated into an aromatics-rich stream and an aromatics-lean stream. The aromatics-lean stream is passed to a second reforming stage which includes two serially connected downstream reactors operated in cyclic mode with a swing reactor. Detailed Description of the Invention Feedstocks which are suitable for reforming in accordance with the instant invention are any hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks boiling in the gasoline range. Non-limiting examples of such feedstocks include the light hydrocarbon oils boiling from 21°C (70°F) to 260°C (500°F), preferably from 82°C (180°F) to 204°C (400°F), for example straight run naphtha, synthetically produced naphtha such as a coal or oil-shale derived naphtha, thermally or catalytically cracked naphtha, hydrocracked naphtha, or blends or fractions thereof. Referring to the figure, a feedstock, which preferably is first hydrotreated by any conventional hydro-treating method to remove undesirable components such as sulfur and nitrogen, is passed to a first reforming stage represented by heater or preheat furnaces F₁ and F₂, and reactors R₁ and R₂. A reforming stage, as used herein, is any one or more reactors and its associated equipment (e.g., preheat furnaces etc.) separated from an immediately preceding or succeeding stage by the separation of aromatics from the reaction stream of the preceding stage. The feedstock is fed into heater, or preheat furnace, F₁ via line 10 where it is heated to an effective reforming temperature. That is, to a temperature high enough to initiate and maintain dehydrogenation reactions, but not so high as to cause excessive hydrocracking. The heated feedstock is then fed, via line 12, into reactor R₁ which contains a catalyst suitable for reforming. Reactor R₁, as well as all other reactors in the process unit, is operated at reforming conditions. Typical reforming operating conditions that can be used for any of the reactors of any of the stages hereof are such that the reactor inlet temperature is from 427°C to 649°C (800° to 1200°F); the reactor pressure from 207 kPa (30 psig) to 6895 kPa (1,000 psig), preferably from 207 kPa (30 psig) to 3448 kPa (500 psig); a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 0.5 to 20, preferably from 1 to 10; and a hydrogen to oil ratio of 1 to 10 moles of hydrogen per mole of C₅⁺ feed. The reaction product of reactor R₁ is fed to preheat furnace F₂ via line 14, then to reactor R₂ via line 16. The reaction product from the first stage is sent to cooler K₁ via line 18 where it is cooled to condense the liquid to a temperature within the operating range of the aromatics separation unit. This temperature will generally range from about 38 to 149°C (100° to 300°F). The cooled reaction product is then fed to separator S₁ via line 20 where a lighter gaseous stream is separated from a heavier liquid stream. The gaseous stream, which is hydrogen-rich, is recycled, via line 22, to line 10 by first passing it through compressor C₁ to increase its pressure to feedstock pressure. Of course, during startup, the unit is pressured-up with hydrogen from an independent source until enough hydrogen can be generated in the first stage, or stages, for recycle. It is preferred that the first stage be operated in semiregenerative mode. The liquid fraction from separator S₁ is passed via line 24, through pressure reduction valve 25, to aromatics separation unit A where aromatic materials are separated, thus resulting in an aromatics-rich and an aromatics-lean stream. The terms "aromatic-rich" and "aromatics-lean" as used herein refer to the level of aromatics in the liquid fraction reaction stream after aromatics separation relative to the level of aromatics prior to separation. That is, after a reaction stream is subjected to an aromatics separation technique two fractions result. One fraction has a higher level of aromatics relative to the stream before separation and is thus referred to as the aromatics-rich fraction. The other fraction is, of course, the aromatics-lean fraction which can also be referred to as the paraffin-rich fraction. Aromatics separation can be accomplished by extraction, extractive distillation, distillation, adsorption, and by permeation through a semipermeable membrane, or by any other appropriate aromatics or paraffins removal process. Preferred is use of a semipermeable membrane. Both the aromatics-rich and the aromatics-lean streams will also contain paraffinic and naphthenic material. The aromatics-rich stream, because of the relatively high level of aromatic components, has a relatively high octane value. Such a high octane stream, which exits the separation unit via line 26, can be used as a high octane blending stock or it can be used as a source of raw material for chemical feedstocks. The aromatics-lean stream exits the separation unit via line 28 where it is mixed with the hydrogen-rich gaseous product of the first stage via line 29, which passes from the separator and through pressure reduction valve 27, then to a second reforming stage by passing it through furnace F₃ via line 30 where it is heated to reforming temperatures. The heated aromatics-lean stream from furnace F₃ is introduced into reactor R₃ via line 32. The reaction stream from reactor R₃ is then passed to furnace F₄ via line 34 then to reactor R₄ via line 36. Reactors R₃ and R₄ also contain a reforming catalyst which may or may not be the same as the catalyst composition used in the first reforming stage. Furthermore, any reactor, or portion thereof, of any stage may contain a reforming catalyst different than that of any other reactor so long as it complies with the above definition for the downstream catalyst composition. Product from reactor R₄ is passed to cooler K₂ via Line 38 where it is cooled and sent via line 40 to separator S₂ where it is separated into a liquid stream 42 and a hydrogen-rich make-gas stream 44 which is passed through compressor C₂ after which it leaves the process unit or can be recycled to the process unit. It is preferred that the second stage be operated in cyclic mode with swing reactor R₅, regeneration gas heater F₅, compressor C₃, and cooler K₃. The second stage, as well as any additional downstream stages, is operated at a pressure at least 172 kPa (25 psig) lower than the first stage, more preferably at a pressure less than 1378 kPa (200 psig) total pressure, and most preferably less than 689 kPa (100 psig) total pressure. While the figure shows only two reactors on oil for both stages, it is understood that any number of reactors can be used. Of course, economics will dictate the number of reactors and stages employed commercially. It is also to be understood that the figure hereof sets forth a preferred mode of practicing the instant invention and as such, many variations of the process scheme illustrated in the figure can be practiced and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, at least a portion of the reaction stream from stage two can be recycled through the aromatics separation unit between stages one and two or it can be separated in an aromatics separation unit following stage two and the resulting aromatics-lean stream recycled to the second stage reactors. Further, a three stage reforming process can be employed with an aromatics separation unit between stages one and two as well as an aromatics separation unit following the third stage with the resulting aromatics-lean stream from this third aromatics separation unit recycled to the reactors of the third stage. Also, the same aromatics-separation unit can be used to produce an aromatics-rich and aromatics-lean stream from more than one reactor. Catalysts suitable for use herein include both monofunctional and bifunctional multimetallic noble metal-containing reforming catalysts. Preferred are the bifunctional reforming catalysts comprised of a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation function and a acid function. The acid function, which is important for isomerization reactions, is thought to be associated with a material of the porous, adsorptive, refractory oxide type which serves as the support, or carrier, for the metal component which includes a Group VIII noble metal, to which is generally attributed the hydrogeneration-dehydrogenation function. The support material may be alumina or a crystalline aluminosilicate such as a zeolite. Non-limiting examples of zeolites which may be used herein include those having an effective pore diameter, particularly L-zeolites, zeolite X, and zeolite Y. Preferably the Group VIII noble metal is platinum. One or more promoter metals, selected from metals of Groups IIIA, IVA, IB, VIB, and VIIB of the Periodic Table of the Elements, is also present. The promoter metal, can be present in the form of an oxide, sulfide, or elemental state in an amount from about 0.01 to about 5 wt.%, preferably from about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, and more preferably from about 0.2 to about 3 wt.%, calculated on an elemental basis, and based on the total weight of the catalyst composition. It is also preferred that the catalyst compositions have a relatively high surface area, for example, about 100 to 250 m²/g. The Periodic Table of which all the Groups herein refer to can be found on the last page of Advanced Inorganic Chemistry , 2nd Edition, 1966, Interscience Publishers, by Cotton and Wilkinson. The halide component which contributes to the acid functionality of the preferred catalyst may be fluoride, chloride, iodide, bromide, or mixtures thereof. Of these, fluoride and, particularly, chloride are preferred. Generally, the amount of halide is such that the final catalyst composition will contain from about 0.1 to about 3.5 wt.%, preferably about 0.5 to about 1.5 wt.% of halogen calculated on an elemental basis. Preferably, the noble metal will be present on the catalyst in an amount from about 0.01 to about 5 wt.%, calculated on an elemental basis, of the final catalytic composition. More preferably the catalyst comprises from 0.1 to 2 wt.% noble metal component, especially 0.1 to 2 wt.% platinum. Other preferred platinum group metals include palladium, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof. As previously mentioned, aromatics removal can be accomplished by extraction, extractive distillation, distillation, adsorption, by use of semipermeable membrane or any other appropriate method for the removal of aromatics or paraffins. Preferred is use of a semipermeable membrane. Semipermeable membranes suitable for use herein are those which are compatible with the reaction stream and which preferentially permeate the aromatic components of the feed stream at an adequate and sustainable rate. Non-limiting examples of membranes which meet these requirements include those made from polyurea, polyurethane, and polyurea/urethanes. The membranes used in the practice of the present invention may be cast in any thickness, membranes ranging in thickness of from about 0.1 to about 50 microns, preferably from about 0.1 to about 20 microns, and more preferably from about 0.1 to about 10 microns. The separation techniques used herein with membranes could include either perstraction or pervaporation. Perstraction involves the selective dissolution of particular components contained in a mixture into the membrane, the diffusion of those components through the membrane and the removal of the diffused components from the downstream side of the membrane by use of a liquid sweep stream. In the perstractive separation of aromatics from non-aromatics, the aromatic molecules present in the stream dissolve into the membrane film due to similarities between the membrane solubility parameter and those of the aromatic species in the steam. The aromatics then permeate (diffuse) through the membrane and are swept away by a sweep liquid which is low in aromatics content. This keeps the concentration of aromatics at the permeate side of the membrane film low and maintains the concentration gradient which is responsible for the permeation of the aromatics through the membrane. The sweep liquid is low in aromatics content so as not to itself decrease the concentration gradient. The sweep liquid is preferably a saturated hydrocarbon liquid with a boiling point much lower or much higher than that of the permeated aromatics. This is to facilitate separation, as by simple distillation. Suitable sweep liquids, therefore, would include, for example, C₃ to C₆ saturated hydrocarbons. The perstraction process is run at a temperature 40°-100°C, preferably as low as practical to enhance membrane stability and life. The choice of pressure is not critical since the perstraction process is not dependent on pressure, but on the ability of the aromatic components in the feed to dissolve into and migrate through the membrane under a concentration driving force. Consequently, any convenient pressure may be employed which pressure is determined by the hydrodynamics and configuration of the permeator used. Lower pressures are preferred to avoid undesirable compaction, if the membrane is supported on a porous backing, or rupture of the membrane, if it is not. If C₃ or C₄ sweep liquids are used at 25°C or above in the liquid state, the pressure must be increased to keep them in the liquid phase. Pervaporation, by comparison, is run at generally higher temperatures than perstraction to enhance aromatic, permeation and relies on vacuum on the permeate side to evaporate the permeate from the surface of the membrane and maintain the concentration gradient driving force which drives the separation process. As in perstraction, the aromatic molecules present in the stream dissolve into the membrane film, permeate (diffuse) through said film and emerge on the permeate side where the aromatic molecules are removed by the vacuum generating equipment. Pervaporative separation of aromatics from non-aromatics of the reformate streams of the present invention are performed at an effective temperature. That is, at a temperature that is not so high as to cause physical damage to the membrane or to result in an undesirable loss of selectivity. This temperature will usually range from about 80° to 120°C. Vacuum on the order of 133- 6665 Pa (1-50 mm Hg) is pulled on the permeate side. The vacuum stream containing the permeate is cooled to condense the highly aromatic permeate. The membrane itself may be in any convenient form utilizing any convenient permeator design. Thus, sheets of membrane material may be used in spiral wound or plate and frame permeators. Tubes or hollow fibers of membranes may be used in bundled configurations. Feed can be processed either in the internal space of the tubes or fibers or the outside of the tubes or fibers. The sweep liquid, in the perstraction case, or the vacuum, in the pervaporation case, will be in the space opposite the feed. Most conveniently, for the instant process, the membrane is used in a hollow fiber configuration with the feed introduced on the inside of the fiber and vacuum pulled on the outside of the hollow fiber to sweep away the permeated species, thereby maintaining a concentration gradient. The permeated aromatics-rich stream is condensed and collected, as a product. The retentate, or aromatics-lean stream, continues on to the next reforming stage. By practice of the present invention, reforming is conducted more efficiently and results in increased hydrogen and C₅⁺ liquid yields. That is, the reactors upstream of aromatics separation are operated at conventional reforming temperatures and pressures while the reactors downstream of the aromatics removal, because of the removal of a substantial portion of feed as an aromatics-rich stream, can be operated at lower pressures, for example at pressures as low as from about 207 to 6895 kPa (30 to about 100 psig). In addition, because of the removal of this aromatics-rich stream, the reactors downstream to its removal can be operated without recycling hydrogen-rich make-gas. That is, the downstream reactors can be operated in once-through hydrogen-rich gas mode because a sufficient amount of hydrogen is generated in the downstream reactors, that when combined with the hydrogen-rich gas from the reactors of the previous stage, there is an adequate amount of hydrogen to sustain the reforming reactions taking place in the downstream reactors. The pressure drop in the downstream reactors can be reduced by operating in the once-through hydrogen-rich gas mode, thereby allowing for a smaller product-gas compressor (C₂ in the Figure) than would otherwise be required. Furthermore, operating in a once-through hydrogen-rich gas mode also eliminates the need for a recycle gas compressor to circulate the hydrogen-rich make-gas in the downstream reactors. Further, as previously discussed, practice of the present invention allows for a dual mode of operation wherein the stage upstream of aromatics separation can be operated in semiregenerative mode and the stage downstream of aromatics separation can be operated in cyclic mode. The frequency of regeneration of the downstream stage is decreased because the aromatics-lean stream is less susceptible to coking when compared with a conventional reforming reaction stream. A still further benefit of the instant invention is the fact that two octane streams are produced. The aromatics-rich stream is exceptionally high in octane number, for example, up to about 108 RON, or higher, and the octane number of the product stream from the downstream stage is flexible depending on the octane requirements for gasoline blending. These two independent octane streams allow for increased flexibility. Another benefit of the present invention is that by operating the downstream reactors at lower octane severity, one is able to achieve lower coking rates, and thus Longer catalyst Life between regenerations. This lower severity also results in less undesirable polynuclear aromatic side products. An additional benefit of the present invention is that the aromatics-rich stream can be more easily separated into high value chemicals feedstocks such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. The present invention will be more fully understood, and appreciated by reference to the following examples based on computer model predictions and are presented for illustrative purposes and not intended to define the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES Two sets of experiments were generated by a computer model of the reforming process. The first set, Comparative Example A and Example 1, are conducted at relatively high pressures whereas the second set, Comparative Example B and Example 2, are conducted at relatively low pressures. The feed for the first set of data is a 85°C/166°C (185°/330°F) cut petroleum naphtha comprised of 59 vol.% paraffins, 27 vol. % naphthenes, and 14 vol. % aromatics. The feed for the second set of data is also a 85°/166°C (185°/330°F) cut petroleum naphtha, but it is comprised of 50 vol. % paraffins, 38 vol. % naphthenes, and 12 vol. % aromatics. The table below sets forth reaction conditions and predicted results.

Claims: A process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of hydrogen in a reforming process unit comprising a plurality of serially connected reactors, each reactor containing a supported noble metal-containing reforming catalyst composition, wherein: (a) said process unit includes at least one upstream stage and at least one downstream stage, each stage comprising one or more reactors, (b) at least a portion of the aromatics content is removed from the reaction stream between the stages thereby resulting in an aromatics-rich stream and an aromatics-lean stream, (c) at least a portion of said aromatics-lean stream is passed to the next downstream stage, in the substantial absence of non-reformed hydrocarbonaceous feed, characterised in that: (i) said downstream stage(s) is operated in the absence of steam, (ii) the catalyst composition employed in said downstream stage(s) comprises either (a) at least one Group VIII noble metal and at least one promoter metal selected from metals of Groups IIIA, IVA, IB, VIB, and VIIB on a support of inorganic oxide or, (b) a noble metal on a crystalline aluminosilicate, (iii) said upstream stage(s) is operated at a pressure within the range of from 207 kPa to 6895 kPa (30 to 1000 psig) and said downstream stage(s) is operated at a pressure within the range of from 207 kPa to 1378 kPa (30 to 200 psig) provided that such pressure is at least 172 kPa (25 psig) lower than the pressure prevailing in said upstream stage(s). The process of claim 1 wherein the downstream stage(s) is operated at a (gauge) pressure of 100 psig (689 kPa) or lower. The process of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the aromatics are separated by permeation by use of a semipermeable membrane. The process of claim 3 wherein the semipermeable membrane is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethanes, and polyurea/urethanes. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said downstream reforming catalyst composition includes a halide, and said inorganic oxide support is alumina. The process of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the downstream stage(s) is or are operated such that gaseous product, e.g. hydrogen-rich gaseous product, is not recycled. The process of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the upstream stage(s) is operated in semiregenerative mode and the downstream stage(s) is operated in cyclic mode. The process of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein aromatics are also separated from the reaction stream from the last stage. The process of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein two stages are present and aromatics are also separated from the reaction product stream from any one or more of the stages (e.g., the second stage) and at least a portion of the resulting aromatics-lean stream is recycled to any one or more of the stages (e.g., the second stage). The process of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a portion of the reaction product stream from any one or more of the stages (e.g., stage two) is recycled to the aromatics separation unit between any one or more of the stages (e.g., between stages one and two).

Inventors: CLEM, KENNETH RAY, HEIDER, KENNETH JAMES, KEGERREIS, JAMES EDWARD, SHOUKRY, EHSAN IBRAHIM
Applicants: EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: C10G59
IPC codes: B01J29, C10G61