What is tower reformer?

Tower reformer is a type of industrial equipment used in petroleum refineries to convert low-value naphtha into high-value gasoline and other high-octane fuels. It is a catalytic cracking process where the hydrocarbons are converted into smaller molecules. The process is carried out in a vertical reactor called a reformer, which is typically operated at high temperature (around 500-600°C) and high pressure (around 30-50 psig). The reforming process involves the catalytic cracking of long-chain hydrocarbons and the reassembling of the resulting fragments into shorter-chained, branched hydrocarbons. The tower reformer uses a combination of platinum and other catalysts to facilitate the conversion process, and output fuels that are used in motor gasoline, aviation fuel, heating oil, and other products. The operation of a tower reformer is a critical process in the petroleum refining industry as it has a major impact on product yields and overall refinery economics.