Investigation and Simulation of Catalytic Reforming Reactions of Iraqi Heavy Naphtha Using Pt-Sn/Al2O3 and Pt-Ir/Al2O3 Catalysts

Abstract

In present study: experimental and simulation studies 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 bi-metals catalysts were prepared (Pt-Sn/AL 2 O 3 and Pt-Ir/AL 2 O 3) supported on γ-AL 2 O 3. The main three described reforming reactions were investigated (dehydrogenation, dehydrocyclization, and hydrocracking) to characterize catalysts performance in term of activity and selectivity. The performances of catalysts were investigated under the following operating condition: reaction temperature range of 480-510˚C510˚C, weight hour space velocity range of 1-2hrP-1 P , 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 where as, 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 high components are increased for both types of catalysts (Pt-Sn/AL 2 O 3 and Pt-Ir/AL 2 O 3) under the same operating conditions. A comprehensive mathematical model and simulation was developed in the present work to describe the reaction kinetics of reforming reactions. The comparison between the concentration of (Paraffin's, Naphthenes, and Aromatics), and temperature profile of experimental and simulation results showed a good agreement with a deviation confined between 1.93% to 14.51%.