ABSTRACT
Catalytic cracking is a conversion process (Figure 15-1) that can be applied to a variety of feedstocks ranging from gas oil to heavy oil. It is one of several practical applications used in a refinery that employ a catalyst to improve process efficiency (Table 15-1). The original incentive to develop cracking processes arose from the need to increase gasoline supplies (Chapter 1) (Germain, 1969). Since cracking could virtually double the volume of gasoline from a barrel of crude oil, the purpose of cracking was wholly justified.
