Extraction from Natural Sources
Natural Gas Processing: Methane is separated and purified from raw natural gas extracted from gas fields; after the removal of impurities, high-purity gaseous alkane feedstock is obtained.
Petroleum Fractionation: Crude oil is separated into different fractions based on boiling points via atmospheric distillation, yielding mixtures of alkanes with varying carbon chain lengths-such as petroleum gas (C₁–C₄), petroleum ether (C₅–C₆), gasoline, and kerosene-in sequence.
Advanced Petroleum Refining Processes
Isomerization Process:Using normal alkanes as feedstock and a molecular sieve/noble metal catalyst, straight-chain alkanes are converted into branched-chain isomers to improve product fluidity and octane ratings; a typical example is the C₅ alkane recycle isomerization process.
Alkylation Process: Isobutane reacts with light olefins using hydrofluoric acid or sulfuric acid as a catalyst to produce C₇–C₈ branched alkanes (alkylate), which serves as a high-octane blending component for gasoline.
Catalytic Cracking/Reforming: Heavy, long-chain alkanes are cracked into short-chain alkanes and olefins; simultaneously, naphthenes can be converted into branched alkanes, thereby optimizing the quality of fuel products.
