DUAL MODE HYDROCARBON CONVERSION PROCESS

摘要

A dual-mode hydrocarbon conversion process is provided which comprises reforming a sulfur-, nitrogen- and/or olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock, e.g. an FCC gasoline, in a conversion unit operated under reforming conditions employing as catalyst a noble metal-containing crystalline silicate having a Constraint Index of not greater than about 2 and a framework SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of at least about 50 to provide a relatively high yield of high octane reformate and a relatively low yield of C3-4 hydrocarbons prior to or following hydrocracking the feedstock in the unit operated under hydrocracking conditions in the presence of the aforesaid catalyst to provide a relatively low yield of high octane hydrocrackate and a relatively high yield of C3-4 hydrocarbons. The latter can be separated from the liquid product and processed in a gas plant to provide LPG products. The dual-mode process of this invention offers the refiner increased flexibility in meeting rapidly fluctuating changes in demand for high octane gasoline and LPG products.