Question

What's the difference between cracking and pyrolysis?

Answer 1

The difference between cracking and pyrolysis is that cracking is the breakdown of large organic compounds by use of a catalyst and low temperatures to form fewer different compounds. In Pyrolysis, it's the decomposition of a compound on heating in absence of air.

Answer 2

The difference between Cracking and Pyrolysis in the former is the process of whereby complex organic molecules such as kerogen or long chain hydrocarbon are broken into a simpler molecule while the later is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperature in the absence of oxygen.