Abstract
Catalytic reforming requires feed information that can be transferred to kinetic-model lumps because naphtha composition influences aromatics formation, hydrogen production and coke-related catalyst deactivation. An integrated Molecular-Type Homologous Series (MTHS) characterisation and lumped kinetic-reactor modelling method is developed for continuous catalytic reforming (CCR). A data-adapted flexible-lump formulation is used to transfer carbon-number-based (CN-based) or pseudo-component-based (PC-based) MTHS feed matrices to the CCR kinetic model according to available industrial feed data. A 40-lump reaction network is formulated for reactor modelling. Coke formation is represented in the catalytic reforming reaction network and used to describe coke-related deactivation and carbon/hydrogen elemental conservation. The kinetic-reactor model is calibrated for a four-reactor industrial CCR unit using available base-case industrial feed assays and plant operating data. Pressure behaviour, coke deposition, reactor profiles and operating-variable responses are then assessed as process and mechanistic consistency checks. Feed density and hydrocarbon-family contents are predicted with errors below 0.50 %. After calibration, reactor outlet temperature errors are below 0.66 K, and final-product lump flowrate errors are below 1.6 kmol/h. The operating-variable responses follow expected catalytic reforming trends under changes in feed and operating conditions.