Experimental optimization and reactor simulation of coal-derived naphtha reforming over Pt–Re/γ-Al 2 O 3 using design of experiment and response surface methodology

In this study, the effects of different process parameters on the yield of aromatics (YA) and the yield of C5+ (YC5+) were studied through catalytic reforming experiments of coal-derived naphtha (CDN). First, the optimum process parameters of CDN catalytic reforming were weighted average inlet temperature (WAIT) for (500–520 °C), pressure (P) for (1.2–1.6 MPa), liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) for (2.0–3.0 h−1), hydrogen–oil volume ratio (VH/VO) for (600:1). The optimum conditions were WAIT 516 °C, P 1.4 MPa, LHSV 2.3 h−1 and the predicted value of YA was 79.81%. The effect of each factor on YA was presented as follows: P > LHSV > WAIT. Compared to the catalytic reforming of petroleum-based naphtha, CDN catalytic reforming not only achieves higher YC5+ while achieving higher YA, but also obtains higher yield of benzene–toluene–xylene (YBTX, 60%). Second, the 17-lumped kinetic model of CDN semi-regenerative catalytic reforming reactor was established, and the model parameters of kinetic model were estimated and validated by Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno algorithm. The results show that the simulation model is accurate, reliable and has good predictive ability. Third, the change regulation of reactants and temperature in the reforming reactor along the catalyst bed were simulated by using the 17-lumped kinetic model under specific operating conditions.