Abstract
A pilot plant study was performed to understand the reforming reactions network using a blend of straight run and hydrocracked naphtha. Three major classes of reactions that occurred during reforming were naphthenes dehydrogenation, n-paraffins cracking, and dehydrocyclization. The increase in aromatics was attributed to paraffin dehydrocyclization, the selectivity of which increases with carbon number. Aromatic contents were increased, while other hydrocarbons were decreased and converted to aromatics. Naphthenes were converted to aromatics of the same carbon number. The results indicated a drop in aromatic content as the catalyst deactivated with an increase in time on stream.