Replies to post #52218 on Plastic2Oil Inc (PTOI)

[SteveF]

Sigh.

You just didn't read far enough down in that article. The "intermediates" you refer to have nothing to do with the targeted output.

Catalysts generally react with one or more reactants to form intermediates that subsequently give the final reaction product, in the process regenerating the catalyst.
....
Catalysts do not change the extent of a reaction: they have no effect on the chemical equilibrium of a reaction because the rate of both the forward and the reverse reaction are both affected (see also thermodynamics).

The final reaction product will be the same whether a catalyst is used or not. Catalysts only effect the speed or temperature at which a reaction occurs, NOT the final output of the reaction. Reagents do, but we haven't been told anything about the "Secret Reagent".