Catalytic Cracking in Oil Refining

This lecture covers the catalytic cracking process in oil refining, focusing on the differences between thermal and catalytic cracking, the role of acidic catalysts, and the mechanisms involved in fluidized catalytic cracking. It also discusses the importance of catalysis for emission control and energy production, highlighting the use of zeolites and the challenges of coke formation and catalyst regeneration. Additionally, it explores the reforming process, which involves the conversion of low-octane hydrocarbons into high-octane aromatics. The lecture delves into the reactions and conditions of catalytic reforming, emphasizing the desirable and undesirable reactions that occur. The alkylation process is also explained, detailing the conversion of olefins and iso-butane into higher-octane gasoline using acid catalysts.