n. the reduction of the molecular weight of hydrocarbons by a catalyst, accomplished in a petroleum refinery by a type of chemical reactor (cat′alyt′ic crack′er). Translations
catalytic cracking
catalytic cracking
[¦kad·əl¦id·ik ′krak·iŋ] (chemical engineering) Conversion of high-boiling hydrocarbons into lower-boiling types by a catalyst.