Petrochemicals Facts

What is a petrochemical?

Petrochemicals can be defined as any of a large group of chemicals (as distinct from fuels) derived from petroleum and natural gas and used for a variety of commercial purposes. The definition, however, has been broadened to include the whole range of aliphatic, aromatic, and naphthenic organic chemicals, as well as carbon black and such inorganic materials as sulfur and ammonia. Petrochemical feedstocks can be classified into three general groups: olefins, aromatics and a third group that includes synthesis gas and inorganics. In many instances, a specific chemical included among the petrochemicals may also be obtained from other sources, such as coal, coke, or vegetable products. For example, materials such as benzene and naphthalene can be made from either petroleum or coal, while ethyl alcohol may be of petrochemical or vegetable origin.

When were petrochemicals first manufactured?

The modern chemical industry dates back to the mid-19th century when scientists in Western Europe began synthesizing chemicals that could be substituted for natural products. The World War I era stimulated the development of the petrochemical industry, with the British extracting benzene and toluene from petroleum.

What is made from petrochemicals?

Products made from petrochemicals include plastics, soaps, detergents, solvents (paint thinner, paints, drugs, fertilizer, pesticides, explosives, synthetic fibers and rubbers, and flooring and insulating materials. Petrochemicals are found in such common products as aspirin, cars, clothing, compact discs, video tapes, electronic equipment, and furniture

Some Definitions:

Aliphatic - hydrocarbons that have only hydrogen and carbon atoms. They can have single or multiple bonds. The simplest member of this group is methane.

Alkene - any of numerous unsaturated hydrocarbons having one double bond; specifically, any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons such as ethylene.

Aromatic - an organic compound characterized by increased chemical stability resulting from the delocalization of electrons in a ring system (as benzene) containing usually multiple conjugated double bonds.

Benzene - a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel.

Ethylene - a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon that is found in coal gas. It can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbon - an organic compound (as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens.

Inorganic - composed of matter other than plant or animal.

Naphthenic - any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents.

Olefin - a synthetic fiber (as polypropylene) derived from an alkene.

Propylene - a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon obtained by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in organic synthesis. Propylene is used in the making of products such as acrylics, rubbing alcohol, epoxy glue and carpets.

Synthesis gas - a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen used especially in chemical synthesis.

Toluene - a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline.

Xylene - one of the major aromatic feedstocks that are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates. Xylene is used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibers and in the refining of gasoline.