In this work the modeling and simulation of catalytic naphtha reforming pro
cess is presented. The process model uses an extended version of the kineti
c model reported by Krane et al. (Krane, H. G.; Groh, A. B.; Shulman, B. D.
; Sinfeit, J. H. Proceedings of the Fifth World Petroleum Congress, 1959; p
p 39-51). The new kinetic model utilizes lumped representation of the react
ions that take place. These groups range from one to eleven carbon atoms fo
r paraffins (PI-PII), and from six to eleven atoms of carbon for naphthenes
(N-6-N-11) and aromatics (A(6)-A(11)) Other reactions that this kinetic mo
del considers are the cyclohexane formation via methylcyclopentane isomeriz
ation (MCP <----> N-6) and paraffins isomerization (nP(i) <----> iP(i)). Th
e process model is used to predict temperature and reformate composition pr
ofiles in a commercial reforming unit consisting of a series of four cataly
tic reactors. The agreement between predicted and commercially reported res
ults is very good.