How does fluid catalytic cracking work?

Unlike atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation, which are physical separation processes, fluid catalytic cracking is a chemical process that uses a catalyst to create new, smaller molecules from larger molecules to make gasoline and distillate fuels.

What is thermal cracking process?

Thermal cracking is a process in which hydrocarbons present in crude oil are subject to high heat and temperature to break the molecular bonds and breaking down long-chained, higher-boiling hydrocarbons into shorter-chained, lower-boiling hydrocarbons.

What is a fluid catalytic cracking unit?

Overview of Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) Also known as a Cat Cracker, the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) is a piece of refining equipment used to convert the heavy portion of crude oil feedstock into lighter petroleum products, including liquified petroleum gas and gasoline.

What are the two sections of the fluid catalytic cracking process?

What are the two sections of the fluid catalytic cracking process? Explanation: Reactor is used for cracking process and regenerator for regeneration of catalyst. 5. How is the circulation regulated between the reactor and regenerator in FCC?

What is required for catalytic cracking?

Catalytic cracking uses a temperature of approximately 550°C and a catalyst known as a zeolite which contains aluminium oxide and silicon oxide. Steam cracking uses a higher temperature of over 800°C and no catalyst.

Why is catalytic cracking essential for industry?

Catalytic cracking is an important process in the oil industry where petroleum vapor passes through a low-density bed of catalyst, which causes the heavier fractions to ‘crack’ producing lighter more valuable products. In the petrochemicals industry they are used for producing polyolefins on a very large scale.

What is the difference between thermal and catalytic cracking?

The main difference between thermal cracking and catalytic cracking is that thermal cracking uses heat energy for the breakdown of compounds whereas catalytic cracking involves a catalyst to obtain products.

What is the difference between thermal cracking and catalytic cracking?

What are the three conditions needed for catalytic cracking?