Distinguish between cracking and… | Chemistry

Question 1 Report

Distinguish between cracking and reforming. Of what importance are the two processes in the petroleum industry?

Answer

Answer Details

Distinction between cracking and reforming

Cracking	Reforming
The breaking down of large (long-chain) hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules using heat and a catalyst.	The rearrangement of the molecular structure of a hydrocarbon (for example changing straight-chain into branched-chain or cyclic or aromatic molecules) without changing the number of carbon atoms.
Produces smaller alkanes and alkenes.	Produces isomers of the same molecular formula (branched or aromatic hydrocarbons).

Importance in the petroleum industry

Cracking converts the less useful heavy fractions (such as heavy naphtha and diesel) into more valuable products, especially petrol, and provides alkenes (ethene, propene) as raw materials for the petrochemical and plastics industries.
Reforming converts straight-chain hydrocarbons into branched-chain and aromatic hydrocarbons, thereby raising the octane number of petrol and improving its anti-knock quality, and supplies aromatics for the chemical industry.

Distinguish between cracking and reforming. Of what importance are the two processes in the petroleum industry?