Reformate: Straight-Run Naphtha over Platinum-Alumina-Fluorine Catalyst at 874 °F and 500 psi (Haensel, UOP, US 2,479,110)

Straight-run naphtha knocks badly in an engine. Passed hot and under pressure over Haensel's platinum catalyst, its molecules are reshaped into aromatics and smaller ones, and the octane number nearly doubles. Result (Ex. I): a Pennsylvania naphtha of octane 41.8 gave 82.5 % by volume of reformate of octane 78.8 (A.S.T.M. motor method). Variable: reforming temperature. At 824 °F: 95.9 % by weight, octane 65.7, too cool. At 874 °F: 83.2 %, octane 78.8; more of the charge goes to gas. Source: Haensel, US 2,479,110 (1949), Ex. I-II. Not given: reactor size, how the products are fractionated. Hot hydrogen and oil vapour under pressure: fire risk. Picture drawn by Youblob.