Effect of Molecular Structure of C10 Hydrocarbons on Production of Light Olefins in Catalytic Cracking
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper is interesting and can be useful as a basis for many more investigations related to the generation of light olefins, especially in the use of fuels or fossil sources. However, it is important to attend to the following comments.
1. Regarding the structure of the document, it is necessary to improve the resolution of the figures, using in them some symbols that can be clearly identified, in the figures of the bar graph it is not possible to distinguish the groups of alkanes and alkenes in some sections, especially if the image is presented in grayscale. In addition to the above, when the figures are cited in the document appear the text Error! Reference source not found. Review and place the appropriate Figure number.
2. The materials section commented that the H-ZSM-5 zeolite particles were hydrothermally treated at 800 C for four hours. What was the purpose of this treatment? Explain.
3. In the catalyst characterization section, it is mentioned that the pore size distribution will be measured, however, in Table 1, the adsorption volume is shown, but not the porosity, this table can be complemented with the porosity, it would be support for discussion of the results.
4. In the section on results and discussion of acid properties it is mentioned that the Bronsted sites are dominant, but how could these sites behave in the decane cracking reaction? How to know or determine that they are stronger acid sites? How were they quantified? Explain and sustain your answer.
5. In the same paragraph on acid properties, it is mentioned that with the thermal treatment at 350 C, strong acid sites were obtained, but the measurement was not carried out at reaction conditions to determine what the acidity of the solids will be at said conditions, could have this temperature of treatment of the solid some effect over the reaction? clarify this point.
6. In order to determine the yield reaction products, how many times was the experiment replicated? show the statistical analysis for this study and determine if effectively, higher production of alkanes is obtained at a higher temperature.
7. Scheme 1 is a proposal from your working group since it does not show any reference evidence. On the other hand, the scheme, although it is simple, does not show several sections that do not correspond to this study, since it is necessary to know what is the efficiency of the process? What will be the basic inputs of services? What is the balance of costs? What is the environmental impact? etc.
8. In the conclusions section, it is mentioned that the decane conversion was greater than 99%, however, in Figure 6b, it is shown that only less than 40% conversion is reached, explain your conclusion and clarify your answer.
9. In general, it does not show support for the search for information that supports the methodology and the discussion of its results. The methodology carried out is an original contribution or was based on reported studies, as well as it is necessary to show if, in their review of the literature, they observe coincidences with other research groups, this will allow a better discussion of their results. Just as it is necessary to include a reaction mechanism for this study.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The paper titled “Effect of molecular structure of C10 hydrocarbons on production of light olefins in catalytic cracking” reports the thermal cracking and catalytic cracking of decane over quartz sand and H-ZSM-5. The catalytic cracking of decane and decene over H-ZSM-5 is also compared. Finally, a new process was proposed to increase the production of light olefins. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this paper for publication in the present form. It should be revised thoroughly, as commented below.
1. Section 2.1 seems to be incomplete. Moreover, the compositions of decane and 1-decene mixtures should be given more precisely. As known, even ppm-level impurities can affect the catalytic cracking activity.
2. Some sentences look like a call to action, as an instruction, and not as a description of the studies performed (Try to find a new way to increase the production of light olefins; Check the air tightness of the device before the experiment).
3. There are some incorrect references in the text (Error! Reference source not found).
4. “ml” -> “mL”
5. “when the temperature exceeds 600,” -> “when the temperature exceeds 600 °C,”
6. Page 7: “It can be seen that in the case of quartz sand, the E/M and P/M values of decane thermal cracking do not change significantly with the increase in temperature.” -> “It can be seen that the E/M and P/M values of decane thermal cracking do not change significantly with the increase in temperature.”
7. Page 11: “Figure 2021. YFA1501204) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.), China (Fund No. ST22001).” – What does this sentence mean?
The grammar and punctuation of the manuscript should be revised.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
I appreciate your answers, I consider it necessary to reference part of the discussion of the results supported by the literature.
Author Response
Many thanks for your positive feedback. We have talked the discussion of the results supported by the literature further in the revised manuscript.
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors have revised the manuscript appropriately. Most of the comments were addressed. I still don't understand the meaning of the following sentence “And try to find a new way to increase the production of light olefins”.
Then, the sentence:
“The catalyst (1g, 20-40 mesh) was loaded into the quartz tube reactor, and the catalyst bed was cushioned with quartz cotton to prevent the catalyst from slipping., and then checked the air tightness of the device before the experiment”
I would recommend to rephrase as follows:
“The catalyst (1g, 20-40 mesh) was loaded into the quartz tube reactor, and the catalyst bed was cushioned with quartz cotton to prevent the catalyst from slipping. Before the experiment, the air tightness of the device was checked.”
The format of the reference citing should also be checked.
All the mentioned corrections can be made at the proofreading stage.
Therefore, I recommend the paper for publication in the present form.
Author Response
We highly appreciate your comments. Please see the point-by-point responses in the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
