industrial cracking

• What is the process of refining crude oil called?

  Fractional distillation
• What does fractional distillation produce in terms of hydrocarbons?

  It yields varying amounts of hydrocarbons
• Why is there a higher demand for short-chain hydrocarbons?

  They are more efficient as fuels
• What are short-chain hydrocarbons used for?

  They serve as chemical feedstocks
• What process converts heavier fractions into smaller molecules?

  Cracking
• What does cracking involve?

  Breaking carbon-carbon bonds in alkanes
• What is an example of a reaction in cracking?

  Decane ➔ octane + ethene
• What type of reaction is cracking classified as?

  Thermal decomposition reaction
• What are the key points of cracking?

  • Transforms long-chain alkanes into smaller hydrocarbons
  • The breaking point is random, leading to various products
  • Essential for producing alkenes for plastics and polymers
• What are the two principal methods of cracking?

  Thermal cracking and catalytic cracking
• What are the conditions for thermal cracking?

  High temperature and high pressure
• What is the approximate temperature for thermal cracking?

  1,000°C
• What is a common product of thermal cracking?

  Ethene
• What does catalytic cracking use to enhance the process?

  A zeolite catalyst
• What is the approximate temperature for catalytic cracking?

  450°C
• What type of hydrocarbons does catalytic cracking primarily produce?

  Aromatic hydrocarbons
• How do catalysts enhance the cracking process?

  By lowering temperatures and increasing reaction rates
• Compare the conditions and products of thermal and catalytic cracking.

  • Thermal cracking:
  • High temperature (around 1,000°C)
  • High pressure (up to 70 atm)
  • Products: Primarily alkenes
  • Catalytic cracking:
  • Moderate temperature (around 450°C)
  • Slightly above atmospheric pressure
  • Products: Aromatic hydrocarbons and fuels