Reforming process for enhanced benzene yield

A process for reforming a full boiling range hydrocarbon feed to enhance benzene yield comprising:

• (a) separating the hydrocarbon feed into a C.sub.5.spsb.- fraction, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.7 fraction containing at least 10% by volume of C.sub.7.spsb.+ hydrocarbons, and a C.sub.7.spsb.+ fraction;
• (b) subjecting the C.sub.6 -C.sub.7 fraction to catalytic aromatization at elevated temperatures in the presence of hydrogen and utilizing a catalyst containing a non-acidic carrier and at least one Group VIII noble metal which catalyst converts C.sub.6 paraffins to benzene in a yield of at least 30% by volume and a selectivity of at least 50% and separating a C.sub.5.spsb.+ effluent;
• (c) subjecting the C.sub.7.spsb.+ fraction to catalytic reforming at elevated temperatures in the presence of hydrogen utilizing a catalyst comprising platinum on an acidic alumina carrier and separating a C.sub.8.spsb.- effluent from a C.sub.9.spsb.+ effluent;
• (d) mixing the C.sub.5.spsb.+ effluent and C.sub.8.spsb.- effluent from steps (b) and (c) and recovering an aromatic extract and a non-aromatic raffinate.