Patent EA-002154-B1 (EA)
Title: Process for catalytic reforming
Inventor: HARITATOS NICHOLAS J
IPC: C10G35/095
Filed: 1998-12-17
Abstract: 1. A process for catalytic reforming of feed hydrocarbons to form aromatics, comprising contacting the feed, under catalytic reforming conditions, with catalyst particles disposed in the tubes of a furnace, wherein the catalyst is a monofunctional, non-acidic catalyst and comprises a Group VIII metal and zeolite L, and wherein the furnace tubes are from 5,08 to 20,32 cm in inside diameter, and wherein the furnace tubes are heated, at least in part, by gas or oil burners located outside the furnace tubes. 2. The process for catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons comprising: passing hydrocarbons over a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and zeolite L disposed within a furnace; wherein said furnace comprises a first chamber and a second adjoining chamber separated by a heat exchange surface; wherein said catalyst is located within said first chamber and one or more gas or oil burners are located within said second chamber; and wherein the catalyst is no more than 10,16 cm from the heat exchange surface and at least a portion of said catalyst is more than 2,54 cm from said heat exchange surface. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst under said reforming conditions has a deactivation rate of less than 0.022 degree C per hour. 4. The process of claim 2 wherein the catalyst under said reforming conditions has a deactivation rate of less than 0.022 degree C per hour. 5. The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the furnace tubes are 7,62 to 15,24 cm in diameter. 6. The process of claim 2 wherein the catalyst is no more than 7,62 cm from the heat exchange surface and at least a portion of said catalyst is more than 3,81 cm from said heat exchange surface. 7. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the catalytic reforming conditions include a LHSV of 1.0 to 7. 8. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the catalytic reforming conditions include a hydrogen to hydrocarbon mole ratio of between 0.5 and 3.0. 9. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the Group VIII metal is platinum. 10. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the catalyst is produced by steps comprising treatment in a gaseous environment in a temperature range between 551 degree C and 691 degree C while maintaining the water level in the effluent gas below 1000 ppm. 11. The process in accordance with claim 10 wherein the water level is below 200 ppm. 12. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the catalyst contains at least one halogen in an amount between 0.1 and 2.0 wt. % based on zeolite L. 13. The process in accordance with claim 12 wherein the halogens are fluorine and chlorine and are present on the catalyst in an amount between 0.1 and 1.0 wt. % fluorine and 0.1 and 1.0 wt. % chlorine at the start of run. 14. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the feed contains less than 50 ppb sulfur. 15. The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein the feed contains less than 10 ppb sulfur. 16. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 3 wherein the catalytic reforming conditions include a LHSV between 3 and 5, a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio between 1 and 1.5, a furnace tube interior temperature between 316 degree C and 516 degree C at the inlet and between 460 degree C and 551 degree C at the outlet at SOR and between 316 degree C and 551 degree C at the inlet and between 493 degree C and 551 degree C at the outlet at EOR, and an outlet pressure of between 241,32 kPa and 517,11 kPa. 17. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 3 wherein said furnace tubes are made of a material having a resistance to carburization and metal dusting under low sulfur reforming conditions at least as great as that of type 347 stainless steel. 18. The process in accordance with claims 2 or 4 wherein said first chamber is made of a material having a resistance to carburization and metal dusting under low sulfur reforming conditions at least as great as that of type 347 stainless steel. 19. The process in accordance with claims 1 or 3 wherein: (a) said furnace tubes are made of type 347 stainless steel or a steel having a resistance to carburization and metal dusting at least as great as type 347 stainless steel; or (b) said furnace tubes have been treated by a method comprising plating, cladding, painting or coating the furnace tube surfaces for contacting the feed to provide improved resistance to carburization and metal dusting; or (c) said furnace tubes are constructed of or lined with a ceramic material. 20. The process in accordance with claims 2 or 4 wherein: (a) said first chamber is made of type 347 stainless steel or a steel having a resistance to carburization and metal dusting at least as great as type 347 stainless steel; or (b) said first chamber has been treated by a method comprising plating, cladding, painting or coating the first chamber surfaces for contacting the feed to provide improved resistance to carburization and metal dusting; or (c) said first chamber is constructed of or lined with a ceramic material. 21. A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein the catalytic reforming conditions include a LHSV between 3 and 5, and a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio between 1.0 and 1.5. 22. The process of claims 1 or 2 wherein the catalyst under said reforming conditions has a deactivation rate of less than 0.017 degree C per hour. 23. The process of claims 1 or 2 wherein the deactivation rate is less than 0.01 degree C per hour. 24. The process of claims 1 or 2 wherein the deactivation rate is less than 0.006 degree C per hour.