Mathematical Modeling of an Industrial Naphtha Reformer with Three Adiabatic Reactors in Series

A mathematical model for commercial naphtha catalytic reformer of Tehran refinery was developed. This model includes three sequencing fixed beds of Pt/Al2O3 catalyst at the steady state condition using detailed kinetic scheme involving 26 pseudo-components connected by a network of 47 reactions, in the range of C6 to C9 hydrocarbons. The reaction network consisted dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, ring expansion, paraffin and iso-paraffin cracking, naphthene cracking, paraffin isomerization and hydrodealkylation of aromatics. The kinetic model was fine tuned against industrial plant data using a feed characterized by PIONA (Paraffin, Iso-paraffin, Oleffin, Naphthene and Aromatics) analysis. The final outlet results of the reformer such as RON (Research Octane Number), yield and outlet reformate compositions have shown good agreement with actual conditions of Tehran Refinery reforming unit.