Reforming catalysts are crucial components in the chemical process known as catalytic reforming, which is used to convert low-octane hydrocarbons into higher-octane products. These catalysts typically contain metals like platinum, palladium, or rhenium supported on an alumina base. The primary purpose of reforming catalysts is to facilitate the reconfiguration of hydrocarbon molecules to produce compounds with a higher octane rating, such as aromatic hydrocarbons and isoparaffins, which are essential for high-performance fuels.
