Evaluation of activity, selectivity and stability of catalysts for naphtha reforming

A method to evaluate naphtha‐reforming catalysts has been developed and the equipment and its operation is described here in detail. The octane number computed by chromatographic analysis is similar to the one derived using the motor method and is proportional to the total aromatic concentration. The aromatic concentration is a quick and easy method to evaluate catalyst activity. The liquid yield and selectivity were also measured chromatographically. The efficiencies of commercial and prepared catalysts were compared by plotting octane number vs liquid yield. The catalysts were Pt/Al 3 O 3 ‐Cl and the process variables were similar to those used in industry. The feed was n ‐heptane or C 6 ‐C 8 naphtha. Accelerated deactivation tests at lower pressure and hydrogen : hydrocarbon ratios were performed to study stability in shorter times.