A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream
is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at
reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization
feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst
at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The
isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising
a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component
being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and
a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming
zone effluent is combined with the isomerization zone effluent to form a combined
effluent stream and separated into a product stream enriched in C5 and
heavier hydrocarbons and an overhead stream enriched in C4 and lighter
boiling compounds.