Naphtha-to-gasoline refining plays a significant role in the petrochemical refining industry. This refining process requires a heterogeneous catalyst. A typical feature of this process is that coke (or carbon) deposits are formed on the catalyst particles, resulting in the gradual deactivation of the catalyst. To prevent catalyst deactivation at the industrial scale, such refining processes employ moving-bed reactors in which the catalyst moves through the reactor over time and passes through a regeneration unit. Herein, the coke deposits are removed, and the catalyst is returned to the reactor.

Another important function of the regeneration unit is maintaining catalyst acidity levels by means of chloride agent injection. Chloride addition also plays an important role in redispersing the active metals. This process is also known as the continuous catalytic regenerative (CCR) reforming process.

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