| Abstract: | A simple kinetic model has been used to simulate catalytic naphtha reformers. The model idealises naphtha to three constituents, namely, paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics, with average properties assigned to each class. Out of the many reactions the mixture can undergo, four major reactions have been considered for which the kinetic parameters have been estimated using plant production data. The reactor model is validated against two different sets of plant data. The agreement between predicted results and observations is generally good. A sensitivity analysis of operating parameters on reactor performance revealed that, while temperature affects the aromatics production significantly, the effect of pressure is negligible. |
