Importance

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Abstract

A combination isomerization-reforming process provides additional liquid volume yields of gasoline without significant increase in utilities expense by recycling the isomerization zone effluent to an extended feed fractionation zone from which an isomerization product is also withdrawn. The feed fractionation zone receives a C.sub.5 -plus boiling range naphtha feed. The fractionation zone provides a relatively heavy bottoms stream for a reformer feed and a relatively lighter sidecut stream for feed to an isomerization zone. Effluent from the isomerization zone is recycled to the feed fractionation zone at a midfractionation entry point. A net overhead stream withdrawn from the feed fractionation zone and containing principally C.sub.6 isoparaffins and lighter boiling hydrocarbons provides a relatively high octane blending component. The fractionation zone overhead stream may be combined with effluent from the reforming zone to obtain a gasoline product, at high liquid volume yield, having sufficient octane for unleaded motor fuel use.

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First Claim