Abstract: The challenges and opportunities faced by existing light hydrocarbon and naphtha processing technologies under the “oil reduction and chemicals increase” strategy are analyzed. The critical issues are highlighted, such as naphtha surplus and a significant decline in benzene yield due to the lightening of steam cracking feedstocks, an excess of C₉+ heavy aromatics from catalytic reformer, and a lack of effective processing technologies for refinery light hydrocarbons (e.g., liquefied petroleum gas, raffinate, and heavy C4). The study proposes optimizing feedstocks and improving technologies for catalytic reforming and steam cracking by matching hydrocarbon structures with reaction characteristics to increase the production of light aromatics and light olefins. Light hydrocarbon aromatization technology offers flexible product adjustability, while high-selectivity naphtha conversion can transform surplus naphtha into benzene, ethane, and propane, complementing catalytic reforming. Combining optimized existing technologies with new ones based on hydrocarbon structure and reaction characteristics is a key direction for light hydrocarbon and naphtha conversion in the context of “oil reduction and chemicals increase”.

Key words: benzene, ethylene, naphtha, light hydrocarbons, steam cracking, aromatization, catalytic reforming