This text examines the thermal and catalytic processes involved in the refining of petroleum including visbreaking, coking, pyrolysis, catalytic cracking, oligomerization, alkylation, hydrofining, hydroisomerization, hydrocracking, and catalytic reforming. It analyzes the thermodynamics, reaction mechanisms, and kinetics of each process, as well as the effects of operating conditions and reactor design on process performance and product quality. This is a valuable resource for chemists who wish to improve their knowledge of some of the real world issues that must be addressed in hydrocarbon conversion. Topics include processes on metallic catalysts, processes using bifunctional catalysts, and catalytic reforming.