Definition of
Petrochemistry
Petrochemistry is the science and the technique which corresponds to the petrochemicalthe industry that uses the Petroleum and natural gas as a raw material for the development of numerous chemical products.
Petrochemistry, therefore, provides the knowledge and mechanisms for the extraction of chemicals from fossil fuels. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, propane, methane and butane are some of the fossil fuels that allow the development of petrochemical products.
This science also enables the production of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, the obtaining of asphalt and synthetic fibers and the manufacture of different plastics. Gloves, erasers, and paints, among many other everyday items, are part of petrochemical production.
- petrochemical types
- activity worldwide
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petrochemical types
It is necessary to underline, in addition to everything exposed so far, that petrochemicals is a branch of the chemical industry that can be clearly divided into two groups that are perfectly differentiated.
Thus, on the one hand, we find what is known as primary petrochemical. Under this denomination is the discipline that is fundamentally responsible for undertaking what would be the processing of both natural gas and petroleum derivatives.
On the other hand, there is the secondary petrochemical. In your case, we can establish that it is in charge of proceeding to transform different products, fundamentally the basic and intermediate ones, into others that are already elaborated and that become a basic part of the consumer society in which we live. In this way, they are obtained thanks to this industry from detergents to fertilizers through synthetic fibers or paints, among others.
The processes for obtaining petrochemical products are carried out in refineries and involve physical and chemical changes in the hydrocarbons. The basic process, which splits oil and natural gas into various lighter compounds, is known as cracking (molecules unfold).
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activity worldwide
In addition to all of the above, it must be made clear that, according to the data obtained, petrochemicals is a type of industry that has the particularity that it has grown at a dizzying rate since it was launched throughout the world. Hence, it is currently an important economic area thanks to the significant volumes of money and profit it generates.
Mexico and Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia) are two of the countries in which petrochemicals has the most importance and presence. However, there are many others who have also made this branch of the chemical industry a source of wealth.
The combination of basic petrochemicals and different chemical inputs allows obtaining intermediate petrochemicals such as methanol based resins (used for the manufacture of rubber, plastics, detergents and lubricants), the polyurethanes (used in the manufacture of mattresses and plastics) and acetaldehydes (which result in perfumes, flavorings and others).
Lastly, it should be noted that the petrochemical industry requires important safety measures security to avoid environmental damage since its processes are potentially polluting and have a high environmental impact.
See also: Environmental issues