The role of isomerization as a specipc catalyst function in the field of paramn, naphthene, and aromatic chemical production is reviewed, The relative importance of isomeriziaÍion, dehydrogenation, and deh ydrocyclization for octane improvement is also presented, together with the behavior of the products of these reactions in a, utomotive engines.
RI%UMlk On discute le rôle des réactions d'isomérisation catalytique dans la production chimique des paraflnes, des naphtènes et des composés aromatiques. On met en évidence l'importance relative des réactions d'isomérisution, de déshydrogénation et de déshydrocyclisation pour l'amélioration de l'indice d'octane des carburants. On examine aussi le comportemmt des difiérentes classes d'hydrocarbures dans les moteurs d'automobile.
Viene discusso il ruolo delle reazioni di isomerizzazione, indotte da catalizzatori, nel campo della produzione chimica di paraflne, nafteni ed aromatici. Viene messa in evidenza l'importanza relativa delle reazioni di isomerizzazione, deidrogenazione, e deidrociclizzazione, per il miglioramento del numero di ottano dei carburanti, e viene esaminato il comportamento dei prodotti di queste reazioni nei motori d'automobile.
During the past two decades advances in automotive design have steadily increased the required octane value of the motor-fuel product.
The widespread installation of catalytic cracking throughout $940-50 largely satisfied the increases in octane rating required during this period. (i) However, it was apparent that continuing increases in octane requirements would demand superior methods of reforming straight run and natural gasolines. The early Hydroforming Process represented a substantial improvement over thermal reforming; however, the widespread use of these catalysts was limited by high investment and operating costs together with undesirably low yields. Two new, highly selective, catalytic reforming processes were developed during the post-war period - U. O. P.
Platforming, utilizing a halide-promoted platinum on alumina catalyst (2) and Atlantic Cat- îorming, utilizing a platinum on a controlled silica-alumina catalyst base. (3) More recently, several other platinum catalysts have been announced.
The development of the Catforming catalyst has been described in detail elsewhere (4) and therefore will be reviewed but briefly here.
The goal of this research was a stable catalyst with high activity for the promotion of hydrogenation-dehydrogenation reaction, for the isomerization of paraffins and for the isomerization of naphthene rings required for maximum aromatic production. Early in this work platinum was found to be the most effective hydrogenat
