Which type of naphtha is suitable as a feedstock for ethylene cracking? Which feedstock is good for catalytic reforming?
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This post was last edited by dongliangsir on 2011-11-7 00:10. Straight-run naphtha, catalytically cracked naphtha, coker naphtha, and hydrocracked naphtha – if the raw materials meet the requirements for further processing, which one is the best choice as a feedstock for ethylene production? Which feedstock is good for catalytic reforming? I kindly ask fellow sailors for their guidance. Thank you.
The product determines the manufacturing process; if that product sells well, then that subsequent process will be used! At least ensure the maximization of economic benefits.
Generally, reforming requires heavy naphtha with a boiling range of 65–177 degrees, and the higher the aromatic potential, the better； The naphtha used for ethylene is generally light naphtha, which are gasoline components with a boiling point of less than 65 degrees. At normal pressure, hydrogenation is suitable for reforming, while catalytic and coking processes should be referred to as gasoline production; due to their high levels of olefins and sulfur, hydrogenation is necessary, otherwise the material cannot be used in reforming.
Catalytic gasoline generally does not go through reforming; it is used as a finished product directly, or it becomes a finished product after additional hydrodesulfurization. Catalytic gasoline can be used as a feedstock for reforming after hydrogenation. Regarding the feedstock for ethylene cracking, I believe that naphtha produced from paraffinic crude oil is the most suitable as a cracking feedstock; the lower the carbon count, the better, such as ethane, propane, butane, pentane, etc.
There has always been a concern that reforming and ethylene compete for feedstock; this issue can be discussed with the people at Yangzi. Yangzi has installed a naphtha adsorption separation unit to separate the naphthenic and paraffinic components in heavy naphtha, so that they can be used respectively as feedstock for cracking and reforming. Does anyone who knows Yangzi want to share this technology?