Experimental Study and Simulation of Iraqi Heavy Naphtha Catalytic Reforming Reactions Using Pt-Ir-Sn/AL2O3 and Pt-Ir/AL2O3 Catalysts

Abstract

In present study experimental and mathematical model have been carried out to describe the reaction kinetics of catalytic reforming process using Iraqi heavy naphtha as a feedstock for the process. Two types of catalysts were prepared (Pt-Ir-Sn/AL2O3 and Pt-Ir/AL2O3) supported on γ-AL2O3. The main three described reforming reactions were investigated (dehydrogenation, hydrocracking, and dehydrocyclization) to characterize catalysts performance in term of activity and selectivity. The performance of catalysts were investigated under the following operating condition: reaction temperature range of 480-510 ˚C, weight hour space velocity range of 1-2hr-1, pressure at 6 atm, and hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of 4:1.The results show higher conversion of Iraqi heavy naphtha components (i.e., Paraffins and Naphthenes) with higher temperatures whereas; weight hourly space velocity has shown negative impact on conversion (i.e., higher WHSV shows lower conversion). In general, it was noted that the yields of aromatics and light components are increased for both types of catalysts (Pt-Ir-Sn/AL2O3 and Pt-Ir/AL2O3) under the same operating conditions. Results of tri-metal catalyst better than bi-metal catalyst. A comprehensive mathematical model and simulation was developed in the present work to describe the reaction kinetics of reforming reactions. The model predicts the concentration, conversion, and temperature profile with time and axial direction of the reactor. The comparison between experimental and simulation results of the concentrations of (Paraffin’s, Naphthenes, and Aromatics), and temperature showed a good agreement with a deviation confined 19.50%.

Keywords

• simulation
• mathematical model
• catalytic reforming
• heavy naphtha
• reforming
• and pt