Definitions for "Catalytic cracking"
A petroleum refining process for breaking down heavy molecules in reduced crudes or other feedstocks. The feedstock is treated in a large vessel at high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst. "Cat" cracking is a development of the older method of thermal cracking, which employs only heat and pressure. Catalytic cracking is generally preferred because it produces less gas and other highly volatile by-products. It produces a motor fuel of higher octane (by up to 15 MON) than the thermal process, and is more efficient in the production of iso-paraffins and aromatics, both of which have desirable anti-knock properties.
breaking up large molecules into smaller ones by using a catalyst at high temperature. (see cracking)
the breaking down of heavy hydrocarbons of crude petroleum using a catalyst of silica or aluminum gel.