Process modification to maximize benzene production

Abstract

This invention is a process modification to enable maximization of benzene production from intermediate refinery streams and virgin condensate or other streams having benzene precursors. The modified process or a unique sequence of refinery units also concentrates benzene and xylene precursors if so desired. This concentrated precursor stream is processed by a specific low severity, high yield naphtha reformer. The modified process results in maximizing benzene or xylene volume and reducing overall operating costs especially for refineries producing aromatics and high quality gasoline simultaneously and producing additional benzene from toluene.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method to maximize benzene production.  
     
     
         2 . A method to minimize operating and capital costs for benzene production from crude, natural gas condensates, and materials containing high benzene precursor concentrates.  
     
     
         3 . A method for concentrating benzene precursors.