Abstract: A method for upgrading paraffinic naphtha to high octane fuel by contacting a feedstock, such as C7-C22 fresh virgin naphtha, with porous acid cracking catalyst under low pressure selective cracking conditions effective to produce C4 -C5 isoalkenes and C4-C5 isoalkanes. The preferred feedstock is straight run naphtha containing C7+ alkanes, at least 15 wt % C7+ cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons and less than 20% aromatics, which can be converted with a fluidized zeolite catalyst in a vertical riser reactor during a short contact period.The isoalkane products of cracking are dehydrogenated and etherified to provide high octane fuel components.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for upgrading paraffinic naphtha to high octane fuel by contacting a fresh virgin naphtha feedstock stream medium pore acid cracking catalyst under low pressure selective cracking conditions effective to produce at least 10 wt % C4-C5 isoalkene to obtain a light olefinic fraction rich in C4-C5 isoalkene and a C6+ liquid fraction of enhanced octane value. The preferred feedstock is straight run naphtha containing C7+ alkanes, at least 15 wt % C7+ cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons and less than 20% aromatics, which can be converted with a fluidized bed catalyst in a vertical riser reactor during a short contact period.The isoalkene products of cracking are etherified to provide high octane fuel components.