SRC-I naphtha reforming study. Part 1: SRC-I naphtha distillation and hydrotreating. Part 2: SRC-I naphtha reforming. Final technical report

Naphtha derived from the first stage, Solvent Refined Coal unit of the Wilsonville coal liquefaction pilot plant was fractionated and hydrotreated to produce a naphtha with a boiling range of 190/sup 0/F to 390/sup 0/F. Drastic reductions in the sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen contents of the SRC-I naphtha were accomplished via severe hydrotreating at 1.0 LHSV, 1000 psig, 3100 SCF/bbl recycle rate and 700/sup 0/F. The resultant product of the hydrotreating process has sulfur and nitrogen contents that are well within bimetallic catalysts' reformer feed specifications of <1.3 wppM sulfur and <1 wppM nitrogen. Hydrogen consumption was, however, high at 1300 SCF/bbl. Naphtha from the first stage, solvent refined coal unit of the Wilsonville coal liquefaction pilot plant has been examined for upgrading to gasoline blendstock or benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). The reformability of the hydrotreated SRC-I naphtha over Engelhard's E603 catalyst has been established via: (1) yield/octane test at 350 psig, 2 WHSV, 6000 SCF/bbl recycle rate and (2) catalyst activity and selectivity stability studies at 160 psig, 4 WHSV, 4000 SCF/bbl recycle rate and 100 C/sub 5/+ RONC. The results show 85.5 to 87.0 vol % C/sub 5/+ yield, 75 wt % aromatics and a yield ofmore » 1600 to 1720 SCF/bbl of hydrogen. The data also show excellent E603 activity and selectivity stability in the reforming of SRC-I naphtha. Based on data from the experimental programs, an economic comparison was made for the reforming of SRC-I and Arabian light naphthas which showed an increased product value of $1.63 to $2.28 per barrel for the reforming of SRC-I naphtha.« less