catalytic cracking

American  

noun

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

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Example Sentences

In the late 1930s French-born Inventor Houdry made himself a millionaire, and created one of the biggest single advances in the oil industry's history, by his invention of the Houdry process of "catalytic cracking."

From Time Magazine Archive

Standard's new catalytic cracking plant was dedicated last week with bunting, a band and speeches in Standard's vast and drafty old boiler shop at Bayway, N.J.

From Time Magazine Archive

Standard's "cat cracker" improves on previous catalytic cracking.

From Time Magazine Archive

A silly one: Maragon says I can be a one-man catalytic cracking station.

From Card Trick by Berryman, John