Catalytic Reforming:

The benzene content of crude oil is 0.5-1.0%. Catalytic reforming is the more
important and commercial source of benzene.
The primary purpose of the process is to make high quality gasoline components
out of low octane naphtha by reforming the molecules with the help of a catalyst.
The feed to a catalytic reformer, naphtha is a mixture of paraffins, naphthenes
and aromatic compounds in the C6 to C9 range.
Favorable reactions (because of increase in octane numbers)

Paraffins are converted to iso-paraffins

Release of Hydrogen
Paraffins are converted to naphthenes (e.g. Cyclohexane)due to formation of
Naphthenes are converted to aromatics, including benzene
double bonds

Unfavorable reactions

Paraffins and naphthenes crack to form butane and light gases

Side chains attached to naphthenes and aromatics can break off to form
butane and light gases

Hydrogen is separated from the product, recycled and remixed with the incoming
feed.

This provides abundant supply, to prevent the formation of coke during

reactions.
The presence of excess hydrogen causes most of the coke to unite with
hydrogen to form light paraffins.