The catalytic reforming process was developed in the 1950s.

It is
conducted in the presence of hydrogen over hydrogenation-
dehydrogenation catalysts, which may be supported on alumina or
silica-alumina.
Catalytic reforming uses catalytic reactions to process primarily
low octane, heavy, straight run gasolines and naphthas into high
octane aromatics (including benzene)
Catalytic reforming is a process used to convert low-octane
naphthas into high-octane gasoline blending components called
reformates. Reforming is the total effect of several reactions that
occur simultaneously including
cracking, polymerization, dehydrogenation, and isomerization.
Depending on the properties of the naphtha feedstock (as
measured by the paraffin, olefin, naphthene, and aromatic content)
and catalysts used, reformates can be produced with high
concentrations of toluene, benzene, xylene, and other aromatics
useful in gasoline blending and petrochemical processing.
Hydrogen, a significant by-product, is separated from the reformate
for recycling and use in other processes.
The CRU typically consists of three or more reactors.
The dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatic compounds is
endothermic, i.e., it absorbs heat; consequently the temperature
decreases. Therefore the stream is reheated before it flows through
the second reactor. The temperature decreases in the second
reactor and again the stream is reheated before going through the
third reactor. As the feedstock proceeds through the three reactors,
the reaction rates decrease.
PLATFORMING:

Alkylation
Alkylation, in the context of the petroleum industry, refers to a
process for the production of high-octane motor fuel components by
the combination of olefins and paraffins. The reaction of iso-
butane with olefins, using an aluminum chloride catalyst, is a
typical alkylation reaction.
In acid-catalyzed alkylation reactions, only paraffins with tertiary
carbon atoms, such as iso-butane and iso-pentane react with
the olefin; ethylene is slower to react than the higher olefins. Olefins
with carbon numbers higher than propene may complicate the
products by engaging in hydrogen exchange reactions.