Modeling, Kinetic and Experimental optimization of Reforming Unit for ‎Al- Doura Heavy Naphtha over bi and Tri-metallic Catalysts

Abstract

In the present work mathematical representation (simulation studies) and experimental work in order to describe the Iraqi heavy naphtha ‎(feed stock) for catalytic reforming process ‎reaction kinetics. Tri and bi-metal catalysts were prepared by adding of tin and iridium (Ir) ‎to classical catalyst using in catalytic reforming unit in Al –Doura refinery to enhance ‎th reaction selectivity. Catalysts performance (activity and selectivity) for the three main catalytic reforming reactions were investigated such as dehydrogenation, hydrocracking, and dehydrocyclization reaction. Catalysts performances were investigated under the following operating condition: constant reaction pressure equal to 6 atm‎, the reaction temperature range of (480, 490, 500, and 510 ˚C), constant hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of 4:1, and WHSV (weight hour space velocity) range of (1, 1.5, and 2 hr-1) The results show that as reaction temperatures increase‎ higher conversion of Paraffins and Naphthenes components ‎in Iraqi heavy naphtha while negative impact on conversion as‎ weight hourly space velocity increase (i.e., higher WHSV shows lower conversion). Generally tri and bi-metal catalysts the aromatics and light components ‎yields will be increased under the same operating conditions reforming process.