Process and apparatus for producing a reformate by introducing methane

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for producing a reformate by combining a stream having an effective amount of methane and a stream having an effective amount of naphtha for reforming. Generally, the naphtha includes 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. Moreover, the process can include introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone. Generally, the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.03:1.00-about 0.10:1.00.

1 . A process for producing a reformate by combining a stream comprising an effective amount of methane 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 a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.03:1.00-about 0.10:1.00.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.06:1.00-about 0.10:1.00. 
     
     
         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 pressure less than about 5,000 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.1-about 20 hr −1 . 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340-about 660 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.5-about 5.0 hr −1 . 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a stream rich in hydrogen to the reforming reaction zone. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the stream comprising methane further comprises hydrogen. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the stream comprising methane is rich in methane. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340-about 660 kPa and a liquid hourly space velocity based on a naphtha feed of about 0.5-about 5.0 hr −1 , and the combined stream has an isopentane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.06:1.00-about 0.10:1.00. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 470-about 550° C. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein a reforming reaction zone effluent comprises no more than about 0.5%, by weight, methane. 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a temperature of about 500-about 550° C. 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein a reforming reaction zone effluent comprises no more than about 0.5%, by weight, methane. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the methane is provided by at least a portion of a stream recycled from downstream fractionating of the reforming reaction zone effluent. 
     
     
         15 . A process for producing a reformate by combining a stream rich in methane 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, comprising:
 A) introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone wherein the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.03:1.00-about 0.10:1.00 and a pressure less than about 5,000 kPa.   
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.06:1.00-about 0.10:1.00. 
     
     
         17 . A process, comprising:
 A) combining a stream comprising substantially methane and a stream comprising substantially naphtha wherein the naphtha has not less than about 95%, of one or more compounds by weight, having a boiling point of about 38-about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07; and   B) introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone.   
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.03:1.00-about 0.10:1.00. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein the combined stream has a methane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.06:1.00-about 0.10:1.00. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein the reforming reaction zone has a pressure of about 340-about 660 kPa.