Question

What is catalyic cracking in chemistry?

Answer 1

The reduction of the molecular weight of hydrocarbons by a catalyst,accomplished in a petroleum refinery by a type of chemical reactor is called catalytic cracker.

In petroleum refinery process heavy oil is passed through metal chambers (called catalytic crackers) under pressure and high temperature in the presence of catalysts such as alumina, silica, or zeolites. The rate of cracking and the end products are strongly dependent on the temperature and presence of catalysts.

Cracking is the process whereby complex organic molecules or long chain hydrocarbons are broken down into simpler molecules such as light hydrocarbons, by the breaking of carbon-carbon bonds in the precursors.