Process for the production of C6-C7 aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon feedstock of naphtha type comprising the following stages: a) the said feedstock (1) is sent into a first fractionation unit (2) in order to obtain an upper stream (3) comprising C6 and C7 hydrocarbon compounds and a lower stream (4) comprising C8 to C10 hydrocarbon compounds; b) the upper stream (3) and a stream (12) comprising C6 and C7 aromatic compounds obtained on conclusion of stage e) are sent into a unit for extraction of the aromatics (5) in order to obtain an aromatic base (6) and a liquid effluent (7); c) the liquid effluent (7) is sent into a first catalytic reforming unit (8) in order to obtain a first reformate effluent (9); d) the said first reformate effluent (9) is sent into a reformate separation section (10) in order to obtain a first stream (11) comprising C5 hydrocarbon compounds and a second stream (12) comprising C6 and C7 aromatic compounds; e) the second stream (12) comprising C6 and C7 aromatic compounds is recycled in stage b).

Improved catalytic reforming processes and systems employ reforming reactors in a more efficient manner and can avoid problems associated with yield loss. Aromatics and isoparaffins are separated prior to passing to a reforming unit. An integrated process for producing gasoline blending components includes: separating a naphtha feedstream into an aromatic-rich stream and an aromatic-lean stream; separating the aromatic-lean stream into an isoparaffin-rich stream and an isoparaffin-lean stream; and catalytically reforming the isoparaffin-lean stream to produce a reformate stream.

Improved catalytic reforming processes and systems employ reforming reactors in a more efficient manner and can avoid problems associated with yield loss. Aromatics and isoparaffins are separated prior to passing to a reforming unit. An integrated process for producing gasoline blending components includes: separating a naphtha feedstream into an aromatic-rich stream and an aromatic-lean stream; separating the aromatic-lean stream into an isoparaffin-rich stream and an isoparaffin-lean stream; and catalytically reforming the isoparaffin-lean stream to produce a reformate stream.

The present invention pertains to improved processes and catalysts for aromatization. The processes generally contacting a feed stream comprising a naphtha fraction having a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 content with a catalyst pellet composition to form aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst pellet composition generally comprises a plurality of cylindrical pellets each pellet comprising a Group VIII metal on a zeolite. The pellets may have (a) a plurality of holes passing through the length of the cylindrical pellets, (b) a dome-shaped top and bottom, and (c) a plurality of semi-circular grooves along the length of the exterior of the cylinder.

The present invention pertains to improved processes and catalysts for aromatization. The processes generally contacting a feed stream comprising a naphtha fraction having a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 content with a catalyst pellet composition to form aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst pellet composition generally comprises a plurality of cylindrical pellets each pellet comprising a Group VIII metal on a zeolite. The pellets may have (a) a plurality of holes passing through the length of the cylindrical pellets, (b) a dome-shaped top and bottom, and (c) a plurality of semi-circular grooves along the length of the exterior of the cylinder.

A method of producing a hierarchical zeolite composite catalyst is provided. The method includes dissolving, in an alkaline solution and in the presence of a surfactant, a catalyst precursor comprising mesoporous zeolite to yield a dissolved zeolite solution, where the mesoporous zeolite comprises large pore ZSM-12 and medium pore ZSM-5. The method also includes condensing the dissolved zeolite solution to yield a solid zeolite composite from the dissolved zeolite solution and heating the solid zeolite composite to remove the surfactant. The method further includes impregnating the solid zeolite composite with one or more active metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhenium, rhodium, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten, chromium, ruthenium, gold, and combinations thereof to yield impregnated solid zeolite composite and calcining the impregnated solid zeolite composite to produce the hierarchical zeolite composite catalyst. The hierarchical zeolite composite catalyst has a mesostructure comprising at least one disordered mesophase and at least one ordered mesophase.

A reforming process is described. The reforming process includes introducing a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons having 5 to 12 carbon atoms into a reforming zone containing reforming catalyst, the reforming zone comprising at least two reformers, each reformer having a set of reforming operating conditions, to produce a reformate effluent, wherein the last reformer contains less catalyst than the next to the last reformer.

A reforming process is described. The reforming process includes introducing a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons having 5 to 12 carbon atoms into a reforming zone containing reforming catalyst, the reforming zone comprising at least two reformers, each reformer having a set of reforming operating conditions, to produce a reformate effluent, wherein the last reformer contains less catalyst than the next to the last reformer.

Processes for producing a gasoline blend in which C.sub.7 hydrocarbons are separated from a naphtha feed. The C.sub.7 hydrocarbons are isomerized and dehydrogenated to increase the octane value of the components therein. In order to avoid conversion of methylcyclohexane to toluene in the dehydrogenation reactor, the various processes provide flow schemes in which the methylcyclohexane bypasses the C.sub.7 dehydrogenation reaction zone.

Processes for producing a gasoline blend in which C.sub.7 hydrocarbons are separated from a naphtha feed. The C.sub.7 hydrocarbons are isomerized and dehydrogenated to increase the octane value of the components therein. In order to avoid conversion of methylcyclohexane to toluene in the dehydrogenation reactor, the various processes provide flow schemes in which the methylcyclohexane bypasses the C.sub.7 dehydrogenation reaction zone.