Method for catalytic low temperature and pressure reforming of light hydrocarbon fuels for selective production of aromatics, olefins and saturates

Abstract

A stationary or mobile process for the selective production of aromatics, olefins and saturates from commercially available light hydrocarbon fuels using a low temperature and pressure catalytic system is described. The reforming of these products occur when the hydrocarbon fuel is passed over a dissimilar metal catalyst, preferably containing nickel and copper at low temperature (i.e., about -50.degree. F. to 250.degree. F.) and pressure (i.e., about 10 to 100 psia). The dissimilar metal catalyst is housed in a non-electrical conducting chamber and is operated with fluid Reynolds Numbers over the catalyst surface of between 2.times.10.sup.3 and 20.times.10.sup.4. The hydrocarbon fuel is recirculated, by means of a constant speed pump, over the dissimilar metal catalyst between 1 and approximately 100 times. This process results in reformed hydrocarbon fuels having superior performance qualities than the base hydrocarbon fuel. Vehicle road tests using such reformed fuels have shown substantial mileage improvements over the base fuels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.