Page 66 - Fluid Catalytic Cracking Handbook

44 Fluid Catalytic Cracking Handbook

are not a preferred feedstock because few of the molecules will crack,
The cracking of aromatics mainly involves breaking off the side chains
resulting in excess fuel gas yield. In addition, some of the aromatic
compounds contain several rings (polynuclear aromatics) than can
"compact" to form what is commonly called "chicken wire." Figure
2-5 illustrates three examples of a polynuclear aromatic compound.
Some of these compacted aromatics will end up on the catalyst as
carbon residue (coke), and some will become slurry product. In

Anthracene

Naphthalene

Fluorene

Figure 2-5. Examples of a polynuclear aromatic molecules.