What is the purpose of continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) in catalytic reforming units?

The purpose of continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) in catalytic reforming units is to maintain a consistently high level of catalyst activity and selectivity by continuously removing coke and other contaminants that deactivate the catalyst during the reforming process. In catalytic reforming, the catalyst, typically platinum supported on alumina, is susceptible to deactivation due to coke formation, which blocks active sites on the catalyst surface. This deactivation reduces the catalyst's ability to promote the desired reactions, such as dehydrogenation and isomerization, leading to lower aromatics yields and increased production of undesirable byproducts. In a CCR system, a portion of the catalyst is continuously withdrawn from the reactors, sent to a regenerator where the coke is burned off, and then returned to the reactors. This continuous cycle of catalyst withdrawal, regeneration, and return ensures that the catalyst in the reactors is always in a highly active state. This leads to several advantages: higher aromatics yields, improved product quality, stable reactor operation, longer run lengths between shutdowns, and increased overall efficiency of the reforming unit. By continuously removing coke, CCR systems minimize catalyst deactivation and maintain optimal reforming performance.