How Does the Hydrocarbon Pool Mechanism Affect Selectivity?
The hydrocarbon pool mechanism significantly influences the selectivity of the catalytic process. By maintaining a diverse mixture of intermediates within the catalyst, the mechanism allows for a high degree of control over the product distribution. For example, in the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process, the hydrocarbon pool can be tailored to favor the formation of light olefins like ethylene and propylene, which are valuable feedstocks for the petrochemical industry.