Cracking is a process in organic chemistry where complex organic molecules, particularly long-chain hydrocarbons, are broken down into simpler molecules by breaking carbon-carbon bonds. This process is essential in converting heavy fractions of petroleum into more useful products like gasoline and diesel.
Organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, serving as the primary constituents of petroleum and natural gas.
Catalytic cracking: A chemical process that uses a catalyst to break larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules at lower temperatures compared to thermal cracking.
Thermal cracking: A process that breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones through the application of heat without the aid of catalysts