Gasoline quality and reforming chemistry: Pick the incorrect statement regarding octane behavior, reforming objectives, feed selection, and catalysts used in modern gasoline reforming.

Introduction / Context: Gasoline reforming improves octane by rearranging and dehydrogenating hydrocarbons. Understanding correct vs. incorrect statements about octane trends, desired reactions, suitable feeds, and catalysts is essential in refining practice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Focus on conventional process knowledge: thermal vs. catalytic reforming.
• Paraffinic/naphthenic naphtha ranges are typical feeds.
• Platinum on bifunctional supports is the standard catalyst family.

Concept / Approach: Lower boiling (shorter chain) paraffins typically show higher octane than heavier normal paraffins; dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatics increases octane; Pt on silica-alumina (often chlorided alumina) is standard for catalytic reforming. "Dearomatised kerosene" is not an ideal thermal reforming feed; reforming targets naphtha—not kerosene—with significant naphthene content for octane uplift.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check: Refining textbooks specify straight-run naphtha (naphthenic/paraffinic) as reforming feed; catalytic reforming replaced thermal reforming due to selectivity and octane gains.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls: Confusing reforming with hydrocracking; reforming chiefly rearranges and dehydrogenates, not deep cracking of kerosene feeds.

Final Answer: The most ideal feedstock for thermal reforming is dearomatised kerosene.