CATALYST FOR REFORMING HYDROCARBONS, METHOD OF MAKING THE CATALYST, AND HYDROCARBON REFORMING PROCESS USING THE CATALYST

摘要

A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst comprises a composite of an inorganic support, platinum, rhenium a relatively small amount of copper and optionally a halogen, e.g. chlorine. The copper reduces cracking of a hydrocarbon reforming feedstock to C2+ gaseous hydrocarbons when the catalyst is employed in a hydrocarbon reforming process, compared to a similar catalyst not comprising copper. The catalyst preferably is also sulfided to reduce methane formation during use. The catalyst may be prepared by impregnating a preformed support with a coppercontaining halogen acid solution, neutralizing the impregnated support and impregnating the neutralized support with solutions containing the platinum and rhenium components.