CCR PlatformingTM

Aromatics

Aromatics
Application The function of the CCR Platforming process is to effi-
The CCR Platforming process is used throughout the ciently convert paraffins and naphthenes to aromatics
petroleum and petrochemical industries. It produces with as little ring opening or cracking as possible.
aromatics and hydrogen from naphthenes and paraffins, A generalized reaction scheme that identifies these key
either for use in motor fuel or as a source of specific reactions, as well as the reaction pathways that are
aromatic compounds. In aromatics applications, the feed required to achieve high product yields, is depicted
naphtha is generally restricted to C6 through C10 com- below. The performance of the catalyst system, as
pounds to maximize the production of benzene, toluene, measured by its activity and selectivity to the desired
and xylenes (BTX). reactions, is a function of the balance achieved between
the acid and metal sites.
Process chemistry
The distribution of the hydrocarbon types (paraffins, Generalized Platforming Reaction Scheme
naphthenes and aromatics) will determine how easily n-Paraffins
M or A M/A
various naphthas can be reformed. Aromatic compounds Cracked
A M M or A
A Cyclopentanes Cyclohexanes Aromatics Lighter
pass through the Platforming unit relatively unchanged. Products
Aromatics
M or A M/A
Naphthenes react rapidly and efficiently to aromatics, Isoparaffins

while paraffins react slowly and with less selectivity. I II III

Naphthene Dehydrogenation Dealkylation
Isomerization and
Demethylation
Four major reactions occur in the reactors to produce Legend

the desired products: I

Hydrocracking and
= Demethylation (M)
Predominant Active Sites
A = Acid
 Dehydrocyclization of paraffins to 5- or 6-membered II = Paraffin
Isomerization
M = Metal

rings III = Dehydrocyclization

 Isomerization of 5-membered to 6-membered rings

 Dehydrogenation of 6-membered rings to aromatics Process description
 Hydrocracking of large hydrocarbons to smaller Hydrotreated naphtha feed is combined with recycle
hydrocarbons hydrogen gas and heat exchanged against reactor
effluent. The combined feed is then raised to reaction

CCR Platforming Process

Stacked
Reactor
Naphtha Feed Net H2 Rich Gas
from Treating
CCR Net Gas
Regenerator Compressor
Recovery
Section
Combined Feed
Exchanger
Separator
Light Ends
Stabilizer

Regenerated
Catalyst
Fired Heaters
Spent
Catalyst
Aromatics
Rich Reformate
CCR Platforming 2

temperature in the charge heater and sent to the reac- Thus, through pressure reduction and using current
tors. Typically four adiabatic, radial-flow reactors are catalyst technology, UOP has made dramatic progress
arranged in one or more vertical stacks. Catalyst flows toward closing the actual-to-theoretical yield gap. The
vertically by gravity down the stack, while the charge diagram below shows the volumetric conversion of typical
flows radially across the annular catalyst beds. The lean and rich naphthas across the Platforming process.
predominant reactions are endothermic, so an inter-
heater is used between each reactor to reheat the
Platforming Process Reactions
charge to reaction temperature. Flue gas from the fired
heaters is typically used to generate high pressure Lean Rich
steam, but other heat integration options are available. Naphtha Reformate Naphtha Reformate

Loss Loss
The effluent from the last reactor is heat exchanged P
P P
against combined feed, cooled and split into vapor and P
N
N From P
liquid products in a separator. The vapor phase is rich in From P
N
hydrogen. A portion of the gas is compressed and recy- N A From N
A From N

cled back to the reactors. The hydrogen-rich net gas is A From A A From A
compressed and charged together with the separator
liquid to the product recovery section. From this section Coke easily burned in CCR - the lower pressures
liquid from the recovery section is sent to a stabilizer used to increase the selectivity causes the rate of coke
where light hydrocarbons are removed from the aromatics- formation on the catalyst to rapidly increase. UOP’s
rich reformate product. CyclemaxTM design easily burns the coke and reconditions
the catalyst.
Over time coke builds up on the Platforming catalyst at
reaction conditions. Partially deactivated catalyst is Environmentally friendly - CCR Platforming has low
continually withdrawn from the bottom of the reactor emissions, minimal environmental impact and high energy
stack and transferred to the CCRTM regenerator section. efficiency. ChlorsorbTM technology is used in the CCR
The catalyst flows down through the regenerator where section to recycle chloride and reduce atmospheric
the carbon is burned off and the moisture and chloride emissions.
levels are adjusted. Regenerated catalyst is lifted with
hydrogen to the top of the reactor stack. Because the Economics
reactor and regenerator sections are separate, each can A summary of investment cost and utility consumption is
operate at its own optimum conditions. In addition, the given in the table below for an 1600 KMTA (40,000 bpd)
regenerator section can be temporarily shut down for CCR Platforming unit operating to produce BTX as a
maintenance without affecting the operation of the reactor feedstock to an aromatics complex.
and product recovery sections.
C5+ yield, LV% of feed 79
Features and benefits C5+ yield, wt-% of feed 88
Hydrogen gas yield, wt-% of feed 3.67
Optimized catalyst and process condition - great
advances have been made over the last two decades in Estimated Erected Cost US$ MM 77
coupling improved catalyst with operating conditions. (U.S. Gulf Coast, 2006 basis, inside battery limits only)
For example, at reactor operating pressures of 3.5
kg/cm2g, which are typical of UOP’s latest designs and Utility Consumption
recent commercial start-ups, the selectivities of the more Electric power, kW 16,450
difficult reactions are clearly better. High pressure steam, MT/hr 44.5 (export)
Higher reaction selectivities - for heavier paraffin Cooling water, m3/hr 240
species and heavy 5-membered and 6-membered naph- Fuel Fired, mmkcal/hr* 110
* does not include any credit for light ends heating value
thene ring species selectivities range from 80 to 100%.
CCR Platforming 2

Commercial experience
UOP commercialized the CCR Platforming process in
1971 and as of 2006, has over 200 units on stream
(more than 4,000,000 bpd of capacity) with another 37
in various stages of design and construction. Sizes
range from 6,500 BPD to 57,000 BPD of feed. The
combination of radial-flow, reactor stack and a CCR
regenerator has proven to be extremely reliable. On
stream efficiencies of more than 97% are routinely
achieved in commercial CCR Platforming units, and
the first CCR Platforming unit is still operating today.

For more information

Platforming technology services are available upon
request. For more information, contact your local UOP
representative or our Des Plaines sales office:

e-mail: info@uop.com
fax: +1-847-391-2253
phone: +1-847-391-2000

UOP LLC
25 East Algonquin Road
© 2006 UOP LLC. All rights reserved.
Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017 The information in this document should not be construed as a representation for
which UOP assumes legal responsibility, or an authorization or recommendation
U.S.A. to practice a patented invention without a license.
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