CATALYTIC-REFORMING ADVANCES BOOST PROCESS EFFICIENCY.

Recent improvements in the Rheniforming process have resulted in increased efficiency for production of gasoline-blending stocks, aromatic chemicals, and hydrogen. These advances are based on the development and commercial demonstration of an improved catalyst and new operating procedures. This article describes a new, less costly Rheniforming catalyst, Type E, which is more active and even more stable and selective than previous Rheniforming catalysts. The new operating techniques involve control of on-stream catalyst chemistry to maximum selectivity and run length. The improvements permit lower pressure operation and thus increased yields of desired products, as well as decreased process energy consumption.