Production of aromatics-rich gasoline with low benzene content

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract, A process for the production of high octane gasoline rich in aromatics but containing a relatively low concentration of benzene comprises the separation of C6 fraction of the gasoline feedstock into n-hexane and other C6 isomers. The n-hexane and C7+ streams are catalytically reformed to produce a reformate with a diminished yield of benzene. The reformate is separated and the C6- reformate fraction containing benzene is alkylated employing a zeolite catalyst such as ZSM-5 and preferably methanol or propylene as the alkylating agent. The alkylate comprises high octane C7+ alkylaromatics.