Processes for selective naphtha reforming

A process for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising:

• a) providing a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes, each of which comprises from four to twelve carbon atoms, wherein the boiling point range of the hydrocarbon feedstock ranges from about −12° C. to about 230° C.;
• b) separating the hydrocarbon feedstock into a first fraction and a second fraction, wherein the first fraction is enriched in naphthenes relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock, and the second fraction is enriched in paraffins relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock;
• c) contacting the first fraction with a first reforming catalyst to convert the first fraction to a first reformer effluent that is characterized by increased research octane number and that is suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel, wherein the contacting is conducted at a temperature, pressure and a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio that facilitates the catalytic aromatization of naphthenes present in the first fraction, thereby producing a first reformer effluent that comprises an increased wt. % of aromatics relative to the first fraction and that is characterized by an increased research octane number relative to the first fraction, wherein the temperature is maintained in the range of 480° C. or less to minimize cracking of naphthenes present in the first fraction, and aromatics present in the first reformer effluent;
• d) combining the second fraction with a second reforming catalyst to facilitate conversion of paraffins present in the second fraction to produce a second reformer effluent suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel that predominantly comprises olefins containing four or five carbon atoms and unreacted paraffins and that is characterized by an increased research octane number relative to the second fraction, wherein the combining is conducted at a temperature, a pressure and a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio that facilitates the dehydrogenation of at least 50% of the paraffins present in the second fraction.