thermal polymerization

thermal polymerization

[′thər·məl pə‚lim·ə·rə′zā·shən] (chemical engineering) A thermal, petroleum refining process used to convert light hydrocarbon gases into liquid fuels; paraffinic hydrocarbons are cracked to produce olefinic material which is concurrently polymerized by heat and pressure to form liquids, the product being known as polymer gasoline.