3. Catalytic activation of reactions
3.1 Catalyst types
Reactions are activated by catalysts that can promote isomerization and cyclization as well as dehydrogenation. As a result, the catalyst systems used are multifunctional, i.e. they theoretically possess :
a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation function, provided by the presence of a metal [this element must be active and stable at reaction temperatures (" 500 ˚C) and its content must be controlled to avoid as far as possible reactions producing undesirable light hydrocarbons (methane)];
an acid function, provided by the support, with or without the addition of a halogenated compound, which promotes isomerization and cyclization reactions to varying degrees, the acidity having to be controlled...
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Unit operations. Chemical reaction engineering
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Catalytic activation of reactions
Catalytic reforming reaction diagrams
Bibliography
Economic data
In 2000, worldwide catalytic reforming capacity stood at 530 Mt/year, corresponding to 660 plants in operation worldwide.
In 2000, worldwide production capacity for aromatic hydrocarbons was 40 Mt/year for benzene, 21 Mt/year for toluene and 34 Mt/year for xylenes, with catalytic reforming and steam cracking of petroleum cuts being the two main production routes. At that date, reforming accounted...
Catalyst manufacturers
The global market for catalytic reforming catalysts in 2000 is estimated at around 5,000 t.
As a result of mergers and acquisitions and withdrawals, there are now around 5 catalyst manufacturers, marketing some 40 different products.
The main ones are :
UOP (Union Oil Products)
Procatalysis
...
User industries
There are around 660 catalytic reforming plants in 770 refineries worldwide. In short, all major refineries have a reforming unit, and the industrialists are therefore all types of refiner, and in particular :
the major groups: Exxon-Mobil, Shell, BP, Chevron-Texaco and TotalFinaElf;
national companies: Pemex, Saudi Aramco, Sonatrach... ;...
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