Abstract
Catalytic conversion of light naphtha to aromatics over platinum supported on zeolite L (Pt/KL) was studied using pilot scale units of an externally heated tubular reactor and an adiabatic reactor under operating conditions close to those used for commercial reactors, and simulated using data from laboratory experiments.
Product distributions and temperature profiles in the catalyst bed of the adiabatic reactor and the externally heated tubular reactor agreed fairly well with the simulated values. The simulated performances of the adiabatic reactor and the externally heated tubular reactor were compared, suggesting that the externally heated tubular reactor is more advantageous than the adiabatic reactor, since the operating temperature at the catalyst bed can be lowered, resulting in a slower reaction rate of hydrocracking and a consequent increase in the benzene yield.
