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A heterogeneous mathematical model for a spherical fixed bed axial flow reactor applied to a naphtha reforming process: enhancing performance challenge using a non-uniform catalyst distribution in the pellet

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Abstract

In this work, we consider the study of a heterogeneous model for a spherical fixed bed axial flow reactor. This study is applied to a naphtha reforming process. This process is used in the naphtha Magnaforming unit of the Skikda refinery in Algeria. This unit consists of four spherical-shaped reactors, of different sizes, garnished with bi-functional catalyst (Pt–Re/Al2O3) and placed in series. The aim is to enhance the performance challenge in this reforming process. We shall be interested in the development of a heterogeneous mathematical model that reproduces, as best possible, the process in its beginning cycle. The results obtained from the simulation of the model were compared with the industrial data and good agreement was found. A significant increase in the performance of the aromatics, hydrogen and light products (fuel gas and LPG) has been observed when using an egg-yolk distribution in the first reactor, an egg white in the second reactor and eggshell distribution for the metallic catalyst sites while the acidic site distribution was kept uniform. With this choice, it turns out that the use of the fourth reactor is not necessary. The same result was obtained when we treated the case of cylindrical reactors in a previous work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés Chimiques, Département de Génie des Procédés, Faculté de Technologie, Université Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Setif, Algeria

    T. F. Boukezoula & L. Bencheikh

  2. Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Setif, Algeria

    T. F. Boukezoula

  3. Laboratoire du Dosage, Analyse et Caractérisation en Haute Résolution, Faculté des Sciences, Université Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Setif, Algeria

    D. E. C. Belkhiat

Authors
  1. T. F. Boukezoula
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  2. L. Bencheikh
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  3. D. E. C. Belkhiat
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Correspondence to T. F. Boukezoula.

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Boukezoula, T.F., Bencheikh, L. & Belkhiat, D.E.C. A heterogeneous mathematical model for a spherical fixed bed axial flow reactor applied to a naphtha reforming process: enhancing performance challenge using a non-uniform catalyst distribution in the pellet. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 135, 2323–2340 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-022-02257-z

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