Petrochemicals are products produced from hydrocarbon-based raw materials such as oil or gas, which are referred to as feed stocks. The trade in petrochemicals is international and involves large sums of money. A petrochemical plant is a facility where products are made to supply this industry.
There are numerous types of petrochemicals and petrochemical end products. Some have consumer uses and others are mainly for industrial use. The primary petrochemical industry produces substances such as methanol, ethylene, toluene, and propylene directly from feed stocks. Intermediate and derivative petrochemicals are generally produced when primary petrochemicals are converted to a more complicated form. Such products include vinyl acetate for paint, vinyl chloride for PVC, and styrene for rubber and plastic.
Since feed stocks and the resulting petrochemical products vary, there are a number of production methods. An ethylene producing petrochemical plant is likely to use a method known as catalytic cracking, which utilizes high pressure and high temperatures to crack natural gas by repeated compression and distillation. In a methanol producing petrochemical plant, a reforming process is likely to be used. This method employs high temperature steam, medium pressure, and a catalyst to produce the product.
Differing factors, such as feed stocks, end products, production method, and location, result in numerous types and configurations of petrochemical plants. There are, however, characteristics of petrochemical plants that tend to be standard. For example, almost all petrochemical plants need extensive pipeline networks. Most use furnaces and rotating equipment. Although the sizes vary, every petrochemical plant needs an expanse of land to operate on.
The petrochemical industry tends to be technology intensive. Most petrochemical plants will, therefore, require specialized equipment, sophisticated engineering, and high-skilled staff. This means that, regardless of the feed stock or resulting products, a petrochemical plant is normally very expensive and requires a substantial amount of capital.
Petrochemical plants are located in different countries around the world. Gas and oil are the most common feed stocks, because they are usually less expensive than other raw materials, are widely available, and can be processed more efficiently. For this reason, petrochemical companies often build their plants close to oil and gas refineries. Doing so considerably cuts operational costs, such as transportation, associated with receiving feed stocks.
Petrochemical from Wikipedia
Petrochemical
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Petrochemical Plant in Saudi ArabiaPetrochemicals[1] are chemical products derived from petroleum.[2] Some chemical compounds made from petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas, or renewable sources such as corn or sugar cane.
This article focuses on organic compounds that are not burned as fuel (see also Petroleum product).
Two petrochemical classes are olefins including ethylene and propylene, and aromatics including benzene, toluene and xylene isomers. Oil refineries produce olefins and aromatics by fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum fractions. Chemical plants produce olefins by steam cracking of natural gas liquids like ethane and propane. Aromatics are produced by catalytic reforming of naphtha. Olefins and aromatics are the building blocks for a wide range of materials such as solvents, detergents, and adhesives. Olefins are the basis for polymers and oligomers used in plastics, resins, fibers, elastomers, lubricants, and gels.
Global ethylene and propylene production are ~110 million tonnes and ~65 million tonnes per annum respectively. Aromatics production is ~70 million tonnes. The largest petrochemical industries are located in the USA and Western Europe; however, major growth in new production capacity is in the Middle East and Asia. There is substantial inter-regional petrochemical trade.
Primary petrochemicals are divided into three groups depending on their chemical structure:[2]
Olefins includes ethylene, propylene, and butadiene. Ethylene and propylene are important sources of industrial chemicals and plastics products. Butadiene is used in making synthetic rubber.
Aromatics includes benzene, toluene, and xylenes. Benzene is a raw material for dyes and synthetic detergents, and benzene and toluene for isocyanates MDI and TDI used in making polyurethanes. Manufacturers use xylenes to produce plastics and synthetic fibers.
Synthesis gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen used to make ammonia and methanol. Ammonia is used to make the fertilizer urea and methanol is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate.