6/28/2020 Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming | Definition, Technique, Applications

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Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and

Catalytic Reforming
September 27, 2017 • by Madhusha • 5 min read

Main Difference – Catalytic

Hand Sanitizer Production Cracking vs Catalytic Reforming
Catalytic cracking and catalytic reforming are two processes
Ethanol Odor Removal System used in the conversion of crude oil into useful products.
Catalytic cracking is the breakdown of large hydrocarbon
AKS carbon lter media requires a single step
compounds into small hydrocarbon molecules with the use of
and is nearly 100% free of carbon dust.
go.pall.com moderate temperatures and pressures in the presence of
catalysts. Catalytic reforming is the conversion of low octane
naphtha into high-octane reformate products. Both these
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processes use a catalyst for the progression of the reaction.
Therefore, both these reactions are very useful in increasing the octane number of the fuel that is obtained from the
refinery. The main difference between catalytic cracking and catalytic reforming is that catalytic cracking gives
cracked products whereas catalytic reforming gives reformate products.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Catalytic Cracking
– Definition, Technique, and Applications
2. What is Catalytic Reforming
– Definition, Technique, and Applications
3. What is the Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Catalyst, Catalytic Cracking, Catalytic Reforming, Fluid Catalytic Cracking, Hydrocracking,
Isoparaffins, Naphtha, Octane Number, Paraffin, Reformate Products

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6/28/2020 Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming | Definition, Technique, Applications

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What is Catalytic Cracking

Catalytic cracking is the breakdown of large compounds into small hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst. Here,
moderate temperatures and pressures are provided for the cracking process. The temperatures used for this process
ranges between 475-530oC. The pressure used for this process is around 20 atm.

Unlike thermal cracking, the catalytic cracking process is much easier to maintain since moderate temperatures are
required. Modern refineries use zeolite as the catalyst. It can help in breaking down carbon-carbon bonds in
hydrocarbon molecules.

Types
Catalytic cracking can be found in two types as:

1. Fluid catalytic cracking

2. Hydrocracking/vapor phase catalytic cracking

Fluid catalytic cracking is useful in converting high molecular weight hydrocarbons into useful gasoline like
products. Here, the catalyst used for the reaction should be pre-heated and powdered. The powdered catalyst works
better than granular or other heavy solid forms due to increased surface area.

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6/28/2020 Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming | Definition, Technique, Applications

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Figure 1: A hydrocracking unit of a refinery in the USA

In hydrocracking, the breakdown of large hydrocarbons is done in the presence of hydrogen gas. It is a two-stage
process. It includes cracking followed by hydrogenation.

What is Catalytic Reforming

Catalytic reforming is the process of converting low octane
naphtha into high-octane reformate products. This process
includes the rearrangement of hydrocarbon molecules in
the naphtha feedstock. The produced high-octane reformate
products are later used for gasoline blending and aromatic
production. In other words, the catalytic reforming process
converts paraffin into branched structures (isoparaffins) and
Chiral HPLC Columns
cyclic forms. This also includes the breakdown of larger Core-Shell chiral & Hilic columns for ultrafast
separations.
compounds into smaller compounds. The naphtha
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feedstock is composed of heavy paraffin compounds.

Process
The steps of the catalytic reforming include the following.

1. Feed preparation – Here the naphtha undergoes hydro-treatment. This step eliminates catalyst poisons from the
naphtha feed. It causes the long life of the catalyst.
2. Preheating – The temperature is the most important operating parameter.
3. Catalytic reforming – The reforming process is carried on. The catalyst also should be recovered and circulated.
4. Product separation – Removal of undesirable byproducts and recovery of the desirable products. Aromatic
compounds are also recovered for other uses.

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6/28/2020 Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming | Definition, Technique, Applications

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Figure 2: The process of catalytic reforming and the extraction of the reformate products

The chemical reactions that occur in the process of catalytic reforming include dehydrogenation, isomerization,
aromatization, and hydrocracking. The most common catalysts used in catalytic reforming are Platinum or Rhenium
on a silica base.

Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming

Definition
Catalytic Cracking: Catalytic cracking is the breakdown of large compounds into small hydrocarbons in the presence
of a catalyst.

Catalytic Reforming: Catalytic reforming is the process of converting low octane naphtha into high-octane reformate
products.

Catalyst
Catalytic Cracking: The most commonly used catalyst for catalytic cracking is Zeolite.

Catalytic Reforming: The most commonly used catalysts for catalytic reforming are Platinum or Rhenium on a silica
base.

Mechanism
Catalytic Cracking: The catalytic cracking includes the breakdown of larger hydrocarbons into smaller
hydrocarbons.

Catalytic Reforming: The catalytic reforming includes the rearrangement of hydrocarbons in order to form different
products.

Feed
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6/28/2020 Difference Between Catalytic Cracking and Catalytic Reforming | Definition, Technique, Applications

Catalytic Cracking: The feed for the catalytic cracking is distillates obtained from crude oil distillation.
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Catalytic Reforming: The feed for the catalytic reforming is naphtha feedstock.

Products
Catalytic Cracking: Catalytic cracking mainly gives small alkanes and alkenes.

Catalytic Reforming: Catalytic reforming mainly gives isomerized products and aromatic products.

Conclusion
Catalytic cracking and catalytic reforming processes are very important reactions used in the processing of crude oil.
There are separate sections or units to conduct these processes in a refinery. Although both these processes give
different products in the presence of a catalyst, there are considerable differences between the two processes. The
main difference between catalytic cracking and catalytic reforming is that catalytic cracking gives cracked products
whereas catalytic reforming gives reformate products.

References:
1. “Catalytic reforming.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Aug. 2017, Available here. Accessed 18 Sept. 2017.
2. “Fluid catalytic cracking.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Aug. 2017, Available here. Accessed 18 Sept.
2017.
3. “Catalytic cracking.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., Available here. Accessed 18 Sept.
2017.

Image Courtesy:
1. “Slovnaft – residual hydrocracking (RHC)” By Mikulova – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “BTX-ReformateExtraction” By Mbeychok – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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About the Author: Madhusha EXPLORE 

Madhusha is a BSc (Hons) graduate in the field of Biological Sciences and is currently pursuing
for her Masters in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. Her interest areas for writing and
research include Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry.

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