Donald Henry Mohr

Octane Enhancement By Selective Reforming of Light Paraffins

Abstract A new reforming process (AROMAXSM) is described for selectively converting C6-C7 paraffins to high octane aromatics. Since conventional processes are not very effective for these compounds and since lead additives are being phased out of gasoline, the AROMAX process fills an important industrial need. This process employs a catalyst comprising platinum on L-zeolite. Pure component studies are used to show that the high selectivity of the catalyst results from a different reaction network than conventional bifunctional reforming catalysts. Pilot-scale tests are used to show how unleaded gasoline or aromatic chemicals can be produced from refinery light naphthas with dramatically better yields than conventional reforming.