REFORMING USING A BOUND ZEOLITE CATALYST

摘要

Reforming to produce aromatics from aliphatics, using a bound zeolite catalyst containing a Group VIII metal such as platinum, has been found to be extremely sensitive to water, even at water concentrations as low as 3 ppm in the feed, unless certain catalysts having a low water sensitivity index are used. The water sensitivity index (WSI) is described and methods for making catalysts with a low WSI are described. The sulfur content of the feed to the reforming/aromatics production process is preferably below 50 parts per billion. The catalyst used in the reforming process is preferably a high crush strength catalyst and is preferably prepared by steps including treating L zeolite with a binding enhancement agent prior to binding with a binder such as silica, silica/alumina or alumina.