Molecular Model of Reforming Chemistry at Reformulated Gasoline Conditions

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandate a reduced benzene content and the incorporation of oxygenates in gasoline, and set emissions performance standards for gasoline sold in the nations worst ozone nonattainment areas. These constraints will result'in significant changes in operating conditions used in commercial catalytic reformers. Reformer product octanes are expected to drop, throughputs will be reduced, and pressures (and concommitant recycle hydrogen rates) are expected to drop to allow reformers to maintain hydrogen production at reduced severity. These conditions represent a significant change from post-lead-phaseout operation in which product octanes were pushed and pressures were maintained at high levels to increase the run span of semi-regenerative reforming plants.