Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of
petroleum or other
hydrocarbon origin. Although some of the
chemical compounds that originate from petroleum may also be derived from
coal and
natural gas, petroleum is the major source. They are used in
products such as
detergents,
fertilizers,
medicines,
paints,
plastics,
synthetic fibres, and
synthetic rubber.
The largest petrochemical industries are in the
United States and
Western Europe, though the major growth in new production capacity is in the
Middle East and
Asia. There is a substantial inter-regional trade in petrochemicals of all kinds. World production of ethylene is around 110 million tons per year, of propylene 65 million tons, and of aromatic raw materials 70 million tons.
Primary
petrochemicals are divided into three groups depending on their
chemical structure:
Olefins - include
ethylene,
propylene, and
butadiene.
Ethylene and
propylene are important sources of
industrial chemicals and
plastics products. Butadiene is used in making
synthetic rubber.
Aromatic Petrochemicals - include
benzene,
toluene, and
xylenes. Benzene is used in the manufacture of
dyes and synthetic detergents. Toluene is used in making
explosives.
Manufacturers use
xylenes in making plastics and synthetic fibres.
Synthesis gas - is a
mixture of
carbon monoxide and
hydrogen, and is used to make the petrochemicals
ammonia and
methanol. Ammonia is used in making
fertilizers and explosives whereas
methanol serves as a source for other chemicals.
- *** epoxy resins - a type of polymerizing glue from bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, and some amine
- mixed xylenes - any of three dimethylbenzene isomers, could be a solvent but more often precursor chemicals
- * para-xylene - both methyl groups can be oxidized to form terephthalic acid
Petrochemicals products
See also
