two-stage aromatisation maximum simulated xylen - yield with split feed

摘要

A full boiling hydrocarbon feed is reformed to enhance para-xylene and benzene yields. First, the hydrocarbon feed is separated into a C5- cut, a C6-C7 cut, and a C8+ cut. The C6-C7 cut has less than 5 lv. % of C8+ hydrocarbon, and the C8+ cut has less than 10 lv. % of C7- hydrocarbon. The C6-C7 cut is subjected to catalytic aromatization at elevated temperatures in a first reformer in the presence of hydrogen and using a non-acidic catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal and a non-acidic zeolite support to produce a first reformate stream; and the C8+ cut is subjected to catalytic aromatization at elevated temperatures in a second reformer in the presence of hydrogen and using an acidic catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal and a metallic oxide support to produce a second reformate stream. Less than 20 wt.% of the total amount of C8 aromatics produced in the first and second reformer is ethylbenzene, and more than 20 wt.% of the total amount of xylenes produced in the first and second reformer are para-xylenes.