Catalytic Cracking Catalysts

Abstract

Catalytic cracking is one of the most important processes in a modern refinery. It is the most economic way to convert low-value crude oil fractions into more valuable products and it has been described not only as the heart of the refinery but also as the garbage can!1 Although the process was originally developed as a gasoline producer it also supplies large volumes of gaseous hydrocarbons that are used in alkylation plants and as petrochemical feedstock. Furthermore, domestic fuel oil is an important by-product.