What is the process of isomerization focused on?

The process of isomerization is specifically focused on converting normal carbon chains, or linear hydrocarbons, into branched carbon chains. This transformation enhances the gasoline's quality and performance characteristics, particularly its octane rating. Higher octane fuels resist knocking in engines, which is crucial for efficient fuel combustion and improved engine performance.

Isomerization takes place at elevated temperatures and pressures, and typically involves catalysts to facilitate the rearrangement of molecular structures. As a result, the isomerization process directly affects the fuel's combustion properties, making it a vital operation in refining operations aimed at optimizing gasoline formulations for better performance.

Other processes mentioned in the choices involve different aspects of refining. For instance, condensing gases into liquid pertains to liquefaction processes, while removing impurities from gasoline does not specifically refer to the isomerization process. Separating different hydrocarbons, on the other hand, relates to distillation and fractionation, which are separate processes from isomerization.