What are the conditions for catalytic cracking?

The conditions for catalytic cracking involve high temperatures and the use of a specific type of catalyst to facilitate the breakdown of larger hydrocarbon molecules into more useful smaller ones, such as gasoline and diesel.

In this case, the correct choice indicates a temperature of 550°C coupled with a zeolite catalyst. This is appropriate because zeolites are effective catalysts in the cracking process, allowing for significant molecular rearrangement and breaking of chemical bonds at relatively lowered temperatures compared to thermal cracking, where no catalyst is used and much higher temperatures are often required. The use of a catalyst not only speeds up the reaction but also improves the selectivity towards desired products, making this method more efficient and economically viable.

The temperature of 550°C is ideal for ensuring that the large hydrocarbon molecules are sufficiently energized to undergo the necessary reactions in the presence of the zeolite catalyst. This combination of temperature and catalyst type is widely used in the petrochemical industry to improve yield and control the product composition, making it the go-to method for catalytic cracking processes.