Cracking

Abstract

Cracking larger molecules converts heavy boiling fractions into high-value gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel, heating oils and fuel oils. It also generates light gases (including olefins). Cracking can be carried out by heat (thermal cracking) through free radical chemistry or by catalysis (catalytic cracking) through carbocation chemistry. Steam cracking is a major method to produce light olefins for polyolefins, polyesters and various chemicals. Cracking using catalysts is performed without hydrogen as fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) and with excess hydrogen as hydrocracking.