The GATE Grind

GATE 2022 CH – Question 20

Chemical Technology · Petroleum refining and petrochemicals · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Catalytic reforming is commonly used in the petroleum industry to improve fuel quality. The undesirable reaction in the catalytic reforming of naphtha is

  1. Hydrocracking of paraffins
  2. Dehydrogenation of naphthenes
  3. Isomerization of naphthenes
  4. Cyclization of paraffins

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) Hydrocracking of paraffins

Explanation

The useful reactions in reforming are the dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatics, the isomerisation and the cyclisation of paraffins. Hydrocracking of paraffins breaks them into light gases and lowers the yield of liquid product, so it is the undesirable reaction.