PROCESS EVOLUTION

The Platforming ^[*] process is a UOP ^[*]-developed and -engineered catalytic reforming process in widespread use today throughout the petroleum and petrochemical industries. The first UOP Platforming unit went on-stream in 1949. The Platforming process has since become a standard feature in refineries worldwide.

In the Platforming process, light petroleum distillate (naphtha) is contacted with a platinum-containing catalyst at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures ranging from 345 to 3450 kPa (50 to 500 lb/in ² gage). Platforming produces a high-octane liquid product that is rich in aromatic compounds. Chemical-grade hydrogen, light gas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are also produced as reaction by-products.

Originally developed to upgrade low-octane-number straight-run naphtha to high-octane motor fuels, the process has since been applied to the production of LPG and high-purity aromatics. A wide range of specially prepared platinum-based catalysts permit tailored processing schemes for optimum operation. With proper feed preparation, Platforming efficiently handles almost any refinery naphtha.

Since the first Platforming unit was commercialized, UOP has been at the industry forefront in advancing reforming technology. UOP has made innovations and advances in process-variable optimization, catalyst formulation, equipment design, and maximization of liquid and hydrogen yields. Since higher yields and octane are obtained at low pressure and high severity, innovations at UOP were driven to meet these objectives while controlling the coke deposition and catalyst deactivation.

The first Platforming units were designed...