steam cracking

Steam cracking is a process used in the chemical industry to break down large hydrocarbon molecules, like those in natural gas or heavier oils, into smaller, more useful gases such as ethylene and propylene. This is done by heating the hydrocarbons to high temperatures (around 800-900°C) in the presence of steam, which helps prevent coking and improves efficiency. The resulting smaller molecules are important building blocks for making plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals. Overall, steam cracking is a key method for transforming raw hydrocarbons into valuable industrial products.