OPTIMIZATION OF CATALYTIC REFORMING AND ISOMERIZATION FOR DEEP REFINING OF NAPHTHA TO EURO 6 GASOLINE
Keywords:
naphtha, octane number, isomerization, catalytic reforming, gasoline, deep refiningAbstract
Deep refining of petroleum is essential to maximize light distillate yields, particularly high‑octane gasoline components. This thesis investigates the integration of catalytic reforming and light naphtha isomerization to increase the research octane number (RON) and reduce olefin and sulfur content in the final gasoline pool. Experimental work was carried out using a pilot‑scale fixed‑bed reactor with a commercial Pt‑Re/Al₂O₃ reforming catalyst and a Pt‑zeolite isomerization catalyst. Feedstock was a straight‑run naphtha (70–180 °C) from the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery. Optimal reforming conditions (500 °C, 15 bar, H₂/HC molar ratio = 4) increased RON from 52 to 98, while isomerization of light naphtha (C5–C6) raised its RON from 68 to 87. Blending the two streams with 10 % alkylate and 5 % butane produced a Euro‑6 grade gasoline (RON 95.5, sulfur <5 ppm). The study demonstrates a practical pathway for deep refining of medium‑sulfur crudes
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