What is cracking of petroleum?

Cracking of petroleum is a chemical process that breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil into smaller, more valuable products, such as gasoline, diesel, and other petrochemicals. This process typically involves heating the crude oil in the presence of a catalyst, resulting in the rearrangement of molecular structures. There are different methods of cracking, including thermal cracking and catalytic cracking, each with varying conditions and efficiencies. The primary goal is to increase the yield of desirable fuels and chemicals from the raw material.