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what is the cause of co (monoxide carbon) formation in the catalytic reforming unit?
 
Answers
04/12/2018 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net
Oxygen (air) in the feed caused by inefficient tank gas blanketing.
04/12/2018 A: Peter Marsh, XBP Refining Consultants Ltd, peter.marsh@xbprefining.co.uk
CO in catalytic reformer net gas is formed by a reverse methanation reaction:
H2O + CH4 <--> CO + 3H2
It is favoured by operating at high severity (reactor WAIT), low reactor pressure and high recycle gas moisture. Aromatics-producing units with continuous or cyclic catalyst regeneration technologies are most likely to suffer CO contamination of the net gas.