BENZENE REDUCTION IN REFORMATE - A REVIEW OF CURRENT CATALYTIC STUDIES

The purpose of this paper is to review recent studies on catalytic con version of benzene in reformate by hydrogenation, hydroisomerization, and alkylation. Refineries throughout the world are facing challenges in meeting new fuel specifications; one of them is benzene content in motor gasoline. Almost all the proposed benzene reduction processes ar e within the naphtha processing area, since the reformate is the major source of benzene (typically in the range 2.5-8.0 vol.%), as well as the major component in the gasoline pool. The catalytic conversion app roach discussed in this paper is the most flexible one since it allows accurate monitoring of the benzene without altering the operation of the reformer unit. The present paper also briefly compares the costs o f various benzene reduction options and their impact on refinery econo mics.