Simulation of catalytic naphtha reforming with consideration of pressure drop

Naphtha catalytic reforming unit of Kermanshah refinery has been simulated to monitor industrial plant performance. In this work, a kinetic model of naphtha catalytic reforming reactions is considered based on Padmavathi and Chaudhuri's model (1997). The pressure drop (ΔP) using Ergun equation was considered. The process model was used to predict reformate's composition and temperature profiles in a unit consists of 3 fixed bed reactors in series. The mole fraction of paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics in effluent of 3rd reactor were determined 0.441, 0.013, 0.546 (with considering ΔP); and 0.443, 0.015, 0.541 (without considering ΔP), while the experimental values were 0.44, 0, and 0.56, respectively. The predicted temperature drops for 3 reactors were 54, 25.4 and 10.6K, while the experimental values were 55, 28 and 9K, respectively. The simulation results with considering ΔP were in a better agreement with actual operation plant data.

Keywords:

naphtha reforming , catalytic Reforming , simulation , pressure drop , reformer