PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A REFORMATE BY INTRODUCING n-BUTANE

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for producing a reformate by combining a stream having an effective amount of n-butane and a stream having an effective amount of naphtha for reforming. Generally, the naphtha has not less than about 95%, by weight, of one or more compounds having a boiling point of about 38—about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07. The process can include introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone. Typically, the combined stream has an n-butane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.10:1.00—about 1.00:1.00.

1 . A process for producing a reformate by combining a stream comprising an effective amount of n-butane and a stream comprising an effective amount of naphtha for reforming, wherein the naphtha has not less than about 95%, by weight, of one or more compounds having a boiling point of about 38—about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07, comprising:
 A) introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone wherein the combined stream has an n-butane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.10:1.00—about 1.00:1.00.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the combined stream has an n-butane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.20:1.00—about 0.50:1.00. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 300—about 550° C. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 470—about 550° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340—about 5,000 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.1—about 20 hr −1 . 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.5—about 5.0 hr −1 . 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a stream with an effective amount of hydrogen for reforming to the reforming reaction zone. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340—about 5,000 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.1—about 20 hr −1 , and the combined stream has an isopentane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.20:1.00—about 0.50:1.00. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 470—about 550° C. 
     
     
         10 . A reforming apparatus for producing a reformate, comprising:
 1) a reforming reaction zone adapted to receive a stream rich in n-butane and a stream rich in naphtha wherein the naphtha has not less than about 95%, by weight, of one or more compounds having a boiling point of about 38—about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07; and   2) a first fractionation zone adapted to produce a stream rich in at least one of methane and hydrogen, a stream rich in C1-C4, and a stream rich in C5 + .   
     
     
         11 . The reforming apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least one fluid transfer zone adapted to receive the stream rich in methane and/or hydrogen, which in turn comprises hydrogen and at least a portion of the hydrogen is recycled to the reforming reaction zone.   
     
     
         12 . The reforming apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second fractionation zone adapted to receive the stream rich in C1-C4 and produce at least one stream rich in C1-C3 and at least one stream rich in C4.   
     
     
         13 . The reforming apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the second fractionation zone further comprises:
 a first distillation column; and   a second distillation column;   
       wherein the first distillation column produces a first stream rich in C1-C2 and a bottom stream, and the second distillation column is adapted to receive the bottom stream and produce an overhead stream rich in C3, a side-stream rich in isobutane, and a bottom stream rich in n-butane. 
     
     
         14 . The reforming apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the reforming reaction zone is adapted to receive at least a portion of the bottom stream of the second distillation column. 
     
     
         15 . The reforming apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the bottom stream is substantially n-butane. 
     
     
         16 . A process for producing a reformate, comprising:
 A) combining a stream substantially of n-butane and a stream substantially of naphtha wherein the naphtha has not less than about 95%, by weight, of one or more compounds having a boiling point of about 38—about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07, and introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone.   
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the combined stream has an n-butane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.10:1.00—about 1.00:1.00. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the combined stream has an n-butane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.20:1.00—about 0.50:1.00. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 300—about 550° C. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340—about 5,000 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.1—about 20 hr −1 .