Aromatization process using heavy aromatic circulation

A catalytic hydrocarbon reforming system comprising:

• a fractionator having an inlet to receive an initial feedstock comprising naphtha and an outlet to discharge a reactor feedstock comprising aliphatic hydrocarbons;
• a diluent input line for adding a diluent comprising a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon to the reactor feedstock to form a reactant feed stream having a first temperature;
• at least one furnace capable of heating the reactant feed stream to a second temperature;
• at least one reactor charged with a catalyst comprising an inorganic support, a Group 8-10 metal, and at least one halide, the reactor having an inlet to receive the reactant feed stream and an outlet to discharge a reactor effluent stream at a third temperature;
• and a reactor effluent stream leaving the final reactor comprising a primary aromatic hydrocarbon product and a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product;
• a separation system that receives the reactor effluent stream and separately, discharges the primary aromatic hydrocarbon product, the heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product, hydrogen, and a raffinate;
• a first return line extending from the separation system to the diluent input line for providing the diluent, the diluent comprising at least a portion of the heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product;
• separating the reactor effluent stream into the primary aromatic hydrocarbon product;
• the heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product, hydrogen, and a raffinate;
• forming the diluent from the heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product;
• and
• wherein forming the diluent comprises adding the heavy aromatic hydrocarbon having at least one carbon atom more than the primary aromatic hydrocarbon product.