Fuels with higher octane number can be produced by _.

Explanation

Option A) Cracking involves breaking down large hydrocarbons into smaller ones and does not necessarily result in a higher octane number.Option B: Catalytic reforming is a chemical process used to convert petroleum refinery naphthas distilled from crude oil (typically having low octane ratings) into high-octane liquid products called reformates, which are premium blending stocks for high-octane gasoline. The process converts low-octane linear hydrocarbons (paraffin) into branched alkanes (isoparaffins) and cyclic naphthenes, which are then partially dehydrogenated to produce high-octane aromatic hydrocarbons. Option C) Decomposition is a general term that can refer to any process in which a compound is broken down into simpler components. It does not necessarily result in a higher octane number.Option D) Isomerisation is a process in which straight-chain hydrocarbons are converted into their isomers, which have a more branched and compact structure. While this can result in a higher octane number, it is not as effective as reforming in producing high-octane fuels.