What does petrochemicals mean?
The word petrochemicals means that they are the materials that are extracted from oil, and they belong to two basic groups, which are: (alkenes, which consist of ethylene and propylene), and (aromatic compounds, which consist of benzene and xylene isomers). The most important petrochemical materials are as follows: ( Polyethylene - propylene - benzene (ring) - toluene - xylene).
The importance of the petrochemical industry at the present time
The importance of petrochemicals and the materials that are used in their manufacture is due to the large and main role they play in the economic and social fields, as petrochemicals have entered into many industries that benefit all people and are used by many on a daily basis. Among those industries in which petrochemicals are used is the pharmaceutical industry, and Solar panels, cosmetics, household appliances, the electronics industry, as well as wind turbines, and other industries that are important to society in daily life.
Scientific meaning of petrochemicals
In its scientific concept, petrochemicals means that they are a group of organic compounds known as hydrocarbons, or materials derived from oil and natural gas through multi-stage processing, and are manufactured in order to be used for various commercial and economic purposes.
Types of petrochemicals
Petrochemicals are classified into a group of sections. The classification is based on the chemical composition of the group or section. Petrochemicals are divided into three groups:
Basic petrochemical materials
Olefins
These petrochemicals include ethylene, which is used in the manufacture of paper and electronics, as well as propylene, which is used in paints, furniture, textiles, medicines, and food packaging, in addition to butadiene, which is used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber.
Aromatic compounds
This group includes benzene, toluene, and xylene. Benzene is used in the manufacture of dyes and industrial detergents, while xylene is used in the industrial production of plastics and industrial textiles, while toluene is used in the manufacture of sports equipment.
Industrial gas
This group is a mixture of both: carbon monoxide and hydrogen, from which two substances are extracted: ammonia, which is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, and methanol, which is used as a chemical intermediate.
Materials used in petrochemical production
There are a number of important materials that are involved in the production of petrochemicals, namely hydrocarbons, which are considered or represent the primary raw materials that are mainly used in the use of petrochemicals, then come the materials that are obtained through the processing of natural gas, the most important of which are: methane. , ethane, propane, and butane.
We also find materials that are extracted from petroleum refineries, such as: naphtha and gas oil, and there are also benzene, toluene, and xylene, in addition to materials that work as intermediates in the production of petrochemicals such as: ethylene, propylene, butenes, and butadiene.
The most important petrochemical derivatives
A group of important materials are produced from petrochemical materials, which are extracted in several different ways. These derivatives are represented in the following:
Petrochemical derivatives obtained through ethylene, including: polyethylene, ethanol, and vinyl acetate, with ethylene oxide.
Petrochemical derivatives obtained through propylene, including: isopropyl alcohol, acrylonitrile, polypropylene, and also propylene oxide.
Petrochemical derivatives obtained through toluene, such as: benzene and benzoic acid.
Petrochemical derivatives obtained from xylene, including: meta-xylene and para-xylene.
Petrochemical derivatives, which are obtained through benzene, include: chlorobenzene, alkyl benzene, which is used in the manufacture of detergents, nitrobenzene, and quantin, from which solvents are obtained, and ethylbenzene, from which Styrene which is used to make polystyrene.