Catalytic Cracking

Catalytic cracking is a refining process that breaks down large, heavy petroleum molecules into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline and diesel. It involves passing the crude oil fractions over a catalyst at high temperatures, which accelerates the chemical reactions. The catalyst helps facilitate the breakdown efficiently, resulting in useful fuels and byproducts. This process is essential in refining because it transforms less useful heavy oils into more marketable, cleaner-burning fuels, maximizing the value of crude oil and meeting transportation fuel demands.