1. Types of reactions to promote

The feedstocks usually processed by reforming are gasolines derived from the distillation of crude oil, known as naphthas. Their chemical composition varies according to the origin of the crude, but they are mixtures of hydrocarbons with 6 to 10 carbon atoms. While the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons is always less than 20% by volume, the cyclane (naphthenic hydrocarbon) content can vary from 10% to 70%; similarly, the kerosene (alkane) content is highly variable, reaching 60% in naphthas from Middle Eastern crudes. The increase in aromatic content at the expense of other hydrocarbons implies :

• dehydrogenation of cyclanes (alkylcyclohexanes) to aromatic compounds;

• the dehydrocyclization of n-paraffins and isoparaffins into aromatic compounds, the first two reactions being accompanied by a significant...