Catalytic reforming process

In a process for reforming a naphtha, with hydrogen, in a reforming unit which is a net producer of hydrogen, at least a portion of which is used in a Hydrofiner for hydrodesulfurizing the naphtha feed used in the reforming process, comprised of a plurality of serially connected reactors, inclusive of a lead reactor which contains a platinum catalyst and one or more subsequent reactors of the series which contains a sulfur sensitive metal promoted platinum catalyst, such that naphtha and hydrogen can be contacted with the platinum catalyst of the lead reactor at reforming conditions and the product of said reaction, and the products of subsequent reactions, passed in seratim from one reactor of the series to the next, the product of the final reactor of the series being separated into a hydrogen rich gaseous product and a C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid product with a portion of the gas being recycled to the lead reactor and another portion of the gas to said Hydrofiner,

• the improvement comprising
• bypassing reactors subsequent to said lead reactor during start-up of the reforming unit with the product of said lead reactor,
• separating the product of said lead reactor into hydrogen-containing gaseous portions, one of which is fed to said Hydrofiner, and another of which is recycled to said lead reactor, and
• passing the product of said lead reactor, after line out of said reforming unit and satisfactory operation of said Hydrofiner in hydrodesulfurizing said naphtha feed to said lead reactor, in seratim from one subsequent reactor of the series to another to produce in the final reactor of the series a high octane C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid product, and hydrogen.