Which engineering process, developed by Eugene Houdry in 1937, improved gasoline quality beyond the capabilities of earlier thermal cracking methods?
Answer
Catalytic Cracking
Catalytic Cracking represents the second major process innovation in maximizing and improving gasoline quality, following William Burton's Thermal Cracking of 1913. Eugene Houdry developed this specific technique in 1937. The core advantage of catalytic cracking was its ability to produce a higher-quality base stock for gasoline compared to what thermal cracking alone could achieve. This advancement contributed significantly to the continuous refinement and optimization necessary to meet the increasingly demanding specifications of modern internal combustion engines, particularly concerning octane ratings.
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