Abstract: The light components of naphtha extracted from the top of fractionation tower of the 250 kt/a catalytic reforming unit in SINOPEC Qingdao Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Qingdao Company) contained a high content of C₅ alkanes, which could be used as raw material for the production of pentane foaming agent. The industrial production of pentane foaming agent using light naphtha as raw material was realized by adjusting the process parameters of naphtha as blending component of gasoline. The results of industrial test demonstrated that by adjusting the process parameters of evaporation tower and fractionation tower in pre-hydrogenation unit, the product quality of pentane foaming agent produced under the improved process conditions could meet the index requirements specified in the China National Standard "Pentane Foaming Agent (GB/T 22053—2008)". At the same time, the production of pentane foaming agent in Qingdao Company had no effect on the smooth operation of the equipment and the safety of the units, according to the analysis of the operating condition changes in reforming units and the storage and transportation of products. The technology of producing pentane foaming agent from naphtha could improve the added value of products and realize the rational utilization of resource.

Key words: reforming, light components of naphtha, pentane, foaming agent