Reformate upgrading to produce enriched BTX using noble metal promoted zeolite catalyst

Abstract

A process has been commercialized to convert lower value reformate into more valuable BTX (benzene, toluene and xylenes) and LPG using idled fixed bed units in the refinery. Aromatic compounds in the reformate feedstock are converted over a noble metal zeolite catalyst to BTX through hydrodealkylation and transalkylation, while non-aromatic hydrocarbons are hydrocracked to LPG rich gaseous products. The novel zeolite catalyst is active, stable and regenerable. The BTX produced has high purity and requires no downstream processing. The catalyst has been used in the idled reforming plant of SK in Korea successfully since June 2001. But it can also be used in any available fixed bed reactors, such as an HDS vessel, in the refinery. In this paper, novel features of the catalyst and the process are discussed in detail.