Hydrocarbon pool mechanism

The hydrocarbon pool mechanism explains how certain acid catalysts, like zeolites, convert hydrocarbons into more useful products like gasoline. Inside the catalyst’s porous structure, hydrocarbons (like alkanes and alkenes) interact with acid sites, forming a “pool” of reactive intermediates. These intermediates undergo transformations such as cracking, isomerization, and cyclization, producing various hydrocarbons. This process is key in catalytic cracking and methanol-to-olefins processes, enabling efficient conversion of raw materials into valuable fuels and chemicals by facilitating controlled reactions within this reactive hydrocarbon network.