Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Catalytic reforming of heptane

Book ·
OSTI ID:5781782

Catalytic reforming of heptane was studied in an integral bed reactor on commercial 0.3% platinum-alumina and platinum-rhenium-alumina catalysts preequilibrated by naphtha reforming. The results showed that competitive adsorption of heavy aromatic by-products hinders both heptane isomerization and toluene production. Analysis of the isomer distribution showed that direct conversion of heptane to doubly branched isomers occurs. Analysis of the cracking products showed that they are formed by a carbonium ion mechanism. Toluene selectivity increased with decreasing conversion and decreasing hydrogen or hydrocarbon partial pressure. The two catalysts showed similar yield patterns, but different pressure responses. Reasons for the higher activity and selectivity of the binary catalyst are discussed.

OSTI ID:
5781782
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English