Mathematical modeling of light naphtha (C5, C6) isomerization process

• The reaction scheme for light alkanes isomerization process is elaborated.
• Kinetic parameters are defined for Pt/Al2O3–CCl4, Pt/zeolite and Pt/SO4–ZrO2 catalysts.
• A new universal mathematical model of light alkanes isomerization process is provided.
• Calculations agree very well with experimental information.
• The examples are given for the schemes with recycle of n-pentane and with deisopentanizer.

In this paper a new universal mathematical model of light alkanes isomerization process valid for different raw materials composition and catalyst is provided. The model is designed to be applied at an industrial isomerization unit. In the formalized reaction scheme components having not more than 7 carbon atoms are considered as individual hydrocarbons, because their reactivity and octane numbers differ a lot. Hydrocarbons C7+ are aggregated because usually just a trace amount of these compounds can be found in the feed. The industrial isomerization reactor is considered as an ideal plug flow reactor. The isomerizate composition calculated with the proposed model agrees very well with experimental information. Using the introduced isomerization mathematical model it is possible to compare the different isomerization units work efficiency and choose more suitable variant of process optimization for given raw material. The examples of the calculations are given for the isomerization process scheme with recycle of n-pentane and for the scheme with deisopentanizer.