Inventors:
George A. Swan - Baton Rouge LA
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ
International Classification:
C10G 3506
Abstract:
A process wherein, in a series of reforming zones, or onstream reactors, each of which contains a bed, or beds of catalyst, the catalyst in the leading reforming zones is constituted of supported platinum and a relatively low concentration of rhenium, and the catalyst in the last reforming zone, or reactor of the series, is constituted of platinum and a relatively high concentration of rhenium, and a swing reactor, also containing a supported platinum and rhenium catalyst, is manifolded so that it can be substituted for any one of the onstream reactors of the unit. The entry side, or upper portion of the swing reactor contains a catalyst constituted of platinum and a relatively low concentration of rhenium, and the exit side, or lower portion of the reactor contains a catalyst constituted of platinum and a relatively high concentration of rhenium. The amount of rhenium relative to the platinum on the catalyst in the last reactor and lower portion of the swing reactor is present in a weight ratio of rhenium:platinum of at least 1. 5:1; preferably at least about 2:1, and more preferably ranges from about 2:1 to about 3:1.