Process and System for the Addition of Promoter Metal In Situ in a Catalytic Reforming Unit

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for facilitating adding a promoter metal to at least one catalyst particle in situ in a catalytic naphtha reforming unit. The process can include introducing a compound comprising the promoter metal to the catalyst naphtha reforming unit and adding an effective amount of the promoter metal from the compound comprising the promoter metal to the catalyst particle under conditions to effect such addition and improve a conversion of a hydrocarbon feed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of this invention generally relates to a process for conversion of hydrocarbons in a catalytic reforming unit.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]Numerous hydrocarbon conversion processes can be used to alter the structure or properties of hydrocarbon streams. Generally, such processes include: isomerization from straight chain paraffinic or olefinic hydrocarbons to more highly branched hydrocarbons, dehydrogenation for producing olefinic or aromatic compounds, dehydrocyclization to produce aromatics and motor fuels, alkylation to produce commodity chemicals and motor fuels, transalkylation, and others.[0003]Typically such processes use catalysts to promote hydrocarbon conversion reactions. As the catalysts deactivate, it is generally desirable to regenerate them and / or add new catalyst to improve yields and profitability.[0004]Various catalysts and processes have been developed to convert hydrocarbons. Often, such processes require periodic reg...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]One exemplary embodiment can be a process for adding a promoter metal catalyst component in situ in a catalytic naphtha reforming unit. The process can include introducing a compound comprising the promoter metal catalyst component to the catalytic reforming process under conditions to effect deposition of the promoter metal onto the catalyst particle and improve a conversion of a hydrocarbon feed. Selectivity of the catalyst particle may be improved, activity of the catalyst particle may be improved, deactivation of the catalyst particle may be reduced, undesired coking behavior of the catalyst particle may be reduced, or any combination of the above.

[0007]A further exemplary embodiment can be a system for the in situ addition of a promoter metal to a catalyst particle in a reforming unit including a first zone having a reducing atmosphere and a second zone having an oxidizing atmosphere. The system may include the reforming unit containing at least one compound comprising the promoter metal added to at least one catalyst particle. The reforming unit may be operated at conditions to facilitate the addition of an effective amount of the promoter metal to the at least one catalyst particle for increasing the effectiveness of the catalyst particle to catalyze reforming reactions. Therefore, a process and system disclosed herein can provide several benefits. Generally, a compound comprising a promoter metal is provided that can add an effective amount of the promoter metal, such as a Group IIIA (IUPAC 13) metal, e.g., indium; a Group IVA (IUPOAC 14) metal, e.g. tin, germanium; a rare earth metal, e.g. cerium, lanthanum, europium; and other metals such as phosphorus, nickel, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, zinc, or cadmium to a catalyst particle. Namely, the compound comprising the promoter metal can react so as to add the promoter metal to the catalyst particle. Such an addition can improve the performance to generate a greater amount of the highly desired products (selectivity), increase conversion (activity), and / or decrease undesired deactivation characteristics of the catalyst particle that initially did not contain or had insufficient desired amounts of the promoter metal. Such an addition can also increase the level of a promoter metal of the catalyst particle to provide further performance benefits. In one embodiment, the compound comprising the promoter metal may be introduced to a moving bed continuous regeneration naphtha reforming process unit at the oxychlorination zone or other regeneration zones. In another embodiment, the compound comprising the promoter metal is introduced to the regeneration gas of a fixed bed naphtha reforming unit during the oxychlorination step or other regeneration steps when the catalyst is being regenerated.DEFINITIONS

[0013]As used herein, the term “effective amount” includes amounts that can improve the catalytic performance and / or facilitate the reaction of at least one compound of a hydrocarbon stream.

Problems solved by technology

Generally, one drawback of replacing an existing catalyst with a new catalyst is the cost of replacing a large volume of catalyst, especially if the existing catalyst is not at its useful end of life.

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