Conversion of vegetable oils predominantly composed of triglycerides using pyrolysis type reactions represents a promising option for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. The purpose of this article was to compare catalytic cracking with thermal cracking on production of gaseous hydrocarbon and gasoline conversion by cottonseed oil, and to discuss the difference on composition of products from catalytic cracking and thermal cracking. Reaction products are heavily dependant on the catalyst type (catalyst activation) and reaction conditions. They can range from dry gas to light distillate, such as dry gas, liquefied petroleum gas and gasoline. When the temperature of catalytic cracking is over 460 degrees C. the effects of thermal cracking must be considerable. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.