Process for conversion of hydrocarbons integrating reforming and dehydrocyclodimerization

Abstract

The present subject matter relates generally to methods for hydrocarbon conversion. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for integrating reforming and dehydrocyclodimerization, which are both catalytic processes. While dehydrocyclodimerization takes two or more molecules of a light aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as propane or propylene, to form a product aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen, platforming takes C6 and higher carbon number reactants, primarily paraffins and naphthenes, to convert to aromatics and hydrogen. This integration enables an opportunity to recombine the light aliphatic hydrocarbon from the platforming process into a more desirable aromatics species.

1 . A hydrocarbon conversion process, comprising:
 (a) passing a first hydrocarbon stream to a reforming zone having a first catalyst wherein the reforming zone operates at reforming zone conditions to produce a reforming zone effluent stream; and   (b) passing the reforming zone effluent stream to a dehydrocyclodimerization zone having a second catalyst wherein the dehydrocyclodimerization zone operates at dehydrocyclodimerization conditions to produce a dehydrocyclodimerization zone effluent.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising passing the dehydrocyclodimerization zone effluent to an aromatics recovery zone. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising passing the reforming zone effluent to an aromatics recovery zone. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising passing the reforming zone effluent zone and the dehydrocyclodimerization zone effluent to the same aromatics recovery zone. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first catalyst is a non-platinum containing catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first catalyst is a non-noble metal catalyst. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the dehydrocyclodimerization zone effluent is passed to a dehydrocyclodimerization light product separation zone and the reforming zone effluent is passed to a reforming light product separation zone. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first hydrocarbon stream comprises C5-C12 hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first catalyst comprises an alumina and at least one active metal-containing component. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reforming zone conditions include a temperature of about 450° C. to about 600° C. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reforming zone conditions include a pressure of about 30 psia to about 200 psia. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reforming zone effluent stream comprises C5-hydrocarbons, hydrogen and aromatics. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising passing a second hydrocarbon stream to the dehydrocyclodimerization zone. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the second hydrocarbon stream comprises C5-hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the second catalyst comprises a zeolite and at least one active metal-containing component. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the dehydrocyclodimerization conditions include a temperature of about 350° C. to about 720° C. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the dehydrocyclodimerization conditions include a pressure of about 0.1 psia to about 500 psia. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising a C3+ recovery section that is common to both the platforming zone and the dehydrocyclodimerization zone. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising a C6+ circulation loop from the dehydrocyclodimerization zone to the platforming zone. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising a treatment system that is common to both the platforming zone and the dehydrocyclodimerization zone.