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

Publisher Summary Benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) are a valuable petrochemical feedstock that can be produced from aromatic rich stream by upgrading naphtha reformate or pyrolysis gasoline in the refinery. However, with the advent of the modern continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) reformer, the operation of conventional fixed bed reformer has declined drastically. There are also ample supply of the low value naphtha reformate. It is therefore desirable to produce BTX enriched aromatic stream using the surplus reformate in the idled unit. Aromatics produced can be recovered by solvent extraction. But the extraction unit in the loop has limited processing capacity to handle the extra amount of BTX produced. A novel noble metal that promoted shape selective zeolite catalyst is developed to utilize the idled fixed bed reformer to convert surplus reformate into valuable BTX streams and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) without adding extra burden to the solvent extraction columns.