A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

A process for upgrading a naphtha feed includes separating the naphtha feed into at least a light naphtha fraction, contacting the light naphtha fraction with hydrogen in the presence of at least one cyclization catalyst, and contacting the cyclization effluent with at least one cracking catalyst. Contacting the light naphtha fraction with hydrogen in the presence of at least one cyclization catalyst may produce a cyclization effluent comprising a greater concentration of naphthenes compared to the light naphtha fraction. Contacting the cyclization effluent with at least one cracking catalyst under conditions sufficient crack at least a portion of the cyclization effluent may produce a fluid catalytic cracking effluent comprising light olefins, gasoline blending components, or both. A system for upgrading a naphtha feed includes a naphtha separation unit, a cyclization unit disposed downstream of the naphtha separation unit, and a fluid catalytic cracking unit disposed downstream of the cyclization unit.

Processes for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock by selectively reforming different sub-components or fractions of the feedstock using at least two compositionally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure (relative to conventional one-step reforming processes and systems).

An improved reforming process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process includes two reformers arranged in parallel flow configuration, with the first reformer being a conventional reformer comprising a catalyst selective for reforming C.sub.8+ hydrocarbons to a reformate and the second reformer comprising a catalyst selective for reforming C.sub.7? hydrocarbons to a reformate. In certain embodiments, the first reformer catalyst comprises a conventional alumina catalyst and the second reformer catalyst comprises a ZSM-5 catalyst.

An improved reforming process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process includes two reformers arranged in parallel flow configuration, with the first reformer being a conventional reformer comprising a catalyst selective for reforming C.sub.8+ hydrocarbons to a reformate and the second reformer comprising a catalyst selective for reforming C.sub.7? hydrocarbons to a reformate. In certain embodiments, the first reformer catalyst comprises a conventional alumina catalyst and the second reformer catalyst comprises a ZSM-5 catalyst.

A process for upgrading a naphtha feed includes separating the naphtha feed into at least a light naphtha fraction, contacting the light naphtha fraction with hydrogen in the presence of at least one cyclization catalyst, and contacting the cyclization effluent with at least one cracking catalyst. Contacting the light naphtha fraction with hydrogen in the presence of at least one cyclization catalyst may produce a cyclization effluent comprising a greater concentration of naphthenes compared to the light naphtha fraction. Contacting the cyclization effluent with at least one cracking catalyst under conditions sufficient crack at least a portion of the cyclization effluent may produce a fluid catalytic cracking effluent comprising light olefins, gasoline blending components, or both. A system for upgrading a naphtha feed includes a naphtha separation unit, a cyclization unit disposed downstream of the naphtha separation unit, and a fluid catalytic cracking unit disposed downstream of the cyclization unit.

A method is provided for producing gasoline that includes separating a cracked naphtha feed into a light catalytic naphtha fraction and a heavy naphtha fraction; and exposing the light catalytic naphtha fraction to a catalyst under effective conversion conditions to reduce sulfur content of the light catalytic naphtha fraction while also reducing a Reid vapor pressure and an olefin content of the light catalytic naphtha fraction, wherein the effective conversion conditions comprise a pressure of less than about 500 psig and a temperature of at least about 550 F. (288 C.).