Answer to Question #162448 in Inorganic Chemistry for Nawid Sayed

Question

Hi, please help me with this question, especially with parts 1 and 2.

Describe the process of catalytic reforming in the petroleum refining industry

your answer must also include:

1)   A balanced chemical equation, physical states included, and reaction conditions stated.

2)    Examples of a product formed from catalytic reforming (in petroleum refining) and its use.

Catalytic reforming is a chemical process used to convert petroleum refinery naphtha distilled before describing the reaction chemistry of the catalytic reforming process as a petroleum refinery includes many unit operations and unit processes.

Answer 1

1) In a catalytic reforming, alkanes are converted to arenes by a combination of isomerization and dehydrogenation events.

In catalytic reforming, as in thermal reforming, a naphtha-type material serves as the feedstock, but the reactions are carried out in the presence of hydrogen, which inhibits the formation of unstable unsaturated compounds that polymerize into higher-boiling materials.

Catalytic reforming uses a catalyst, usually platinum, to produce a similar result. Mixed with hydrogen, naphtha is heated and passed over pellets of catalyst in a series of reactors, under high pressure, producing high-octane gasoline.

2) Products from catalytic reforming include high-octane gasoline useful as automobile fuel, aromatics, and hydrogen.