Catalytic Reforming

Overview

In catalytic reforming, hydrogen is created as a byproduct, and is of high value in other refining processes; hydrogen is also produced in steam methane reforming processes. For reliable, clean hydrogen streams, refineries select our specialized hydrogen purification products, which remove water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and methane to create an end product of high purity hydrogen. Catalysts are commonly used in petroleum refineries to convert straight run naphtha, which has a typically low octane rating, into reformates. Reformates are used in gasoline blending because of their high octane rating. The catalysts will facilitate the reformation, or rearrangement, of the molecular structure of low value hydrocarbons in naphtha feedstocks and creates a more complex hydrocarbon with a higher value.

Upgrading these low octane hydrocarbons creates a higher value product to increase profits for the refinery. While reforming naphtha, some byproducts are formed such as C1-C4 hydrocarbons. Catalytic reforming is a critical source of hydrogen, another byproduct from reforming, which is of high value in other refining processes.

Chloride Removal

HYD10B is specially manufactured to remove chlorides from feed streams. This chloride
adsorbent is ideal for removing traces of hydrogen chloride and offers a high dynamic capacity for HCI removal in commercial applications. This product offers a high equilibrium capacity and a high rate of chloride removal.

• • used to remove chlorides such as HCI and other contaminants
• • does not produce green oil or support the formation of organic chlorides
• • prevents harmful chlorides from corroding and damaging equipment
• • offers a high capacity and rate for HCI scavenging

 

Activated Alumina

To prevent these issues, refineries use chloride guards, filled with catalysts to remove chloride from process streams. Using regular activated alumina is possible, but not the best option because hydrogen chloride, as a polar molecule, will react with the hydroxyl groups of the activated alumina as a means of physical adsorption (physisorption). While activated alumina can be used in gas phase processes, the resulting physisorption is undesirable and promoted alumina products are often chosen instead.

 

Promoted Alumina

Promoted alumina is commonly used in liquid phase processes, providing chemisorption capabilities that can function at higher temperatures compared to nonpromoted alumina. The promoter reacts with HCI to create a chemical bond, which removes the chloride from the process stream; this product however, cannot be regenerated.

Hydrogen Purification

Hydrogen holds a high value for refineries and is used in processes such as hydrotreating and hydrocracking. Hydrogen can be collected from various processes in the refinery such as off-gas streams, hydrocracker and hydrotreater purge gas, and most critically, from catalytic reforming, where hydrogen is formed as a byproduct of the reformation process. Our hydrogen purification products come in a variety of types to offer the ideal product for each specific process. The hydrogen collected from these processes has to be purified in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) units to produce hydrogen. Hengye’s specialized adsorbents, used in PSA units, are able to remove water, CO, CO2, nitrogen, and methane to create an end product that is about 99.9% pure and suitable for use in refineries.

Products for Catalytic Reforming