Petrochemical - Revision history

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energy>Jmdonev at 17:01, 25 February 2020

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	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-07-24]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	[[File:640px-TASNEE_001.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. A petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (June 15, 2015). ''TASNEE 001'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TASNEE_001.jpg#/media/File:TASNEE_001.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:640px-TASNEE_001.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. A petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (June 15, 2015). ''TASNEE 001'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TASNEE_001.jpg#/media/File:TASNEE_001.jpg</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>'''Petrochemicals''' are [[chemical]]s derived from [[petroleum]] or [[natural gas]]. They are an essential part of the chemical industry as the demand for synthetic materials grows continually and plays a major part in today's economy and society.</onlyinclude><ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 12, 2015). ''What are petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/about-petrochemistry/what-are-petrochemicals.html</ref> Petrochemicals are used to manufacture thousands of different products that people use daily, including plastics, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, appliances, electronics, [[solar panel\|solar power panels]], and [[wind turbine]]s.<ref name="RE1">American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals'' [Online]. Available: http://www.afpm.org/petrochemicals/</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Petrochemicals''' are [[chemical]]s derived from [[petroleum]] or [[natural gas]]. They are an essential part of the chemical industry as the demand for synthetic materials grows continually and plays a major part in today's economy and society.</onlyinclude><ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 12, 2015). ''What are petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/about-petrochemistry/what-are-petrochemicals.html</ref> Petrochemicals are used to manufacture thousands of different products that people use daily, including plastics, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, appliances, electronics, [[solar panel\|solar power panels]], and [[wind turbine]]s.<ref name="RE1">American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals'' [Online]. Available: http://www.afpm.org/petrochemicals/</ref>

	It's important to note that the biggest concern about [[fossil fuel]] use is from [[combustion]], turning these [[hydrocarbon]]s into [[carbon dioxide]] and water. So while there are environmental concerns about petrochemical manufacturing of plastics, it doesn't lead to a significant release of [[greenhouse gas]]es that can cause [[climate change]]. For example, the plastic manufacturing is capturing the [[carbon]] in an inert form (the plastic) and not releasing it to the atmosphere.		It's important to note that the biggest concern about [[fossil fuel]] use is from [[combustion]], turning these [[hydrocarbon]]s into [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. So while there are environmental concerns about petrochemical manufacturing of plastics, it doesn't lead to a significant release of [[greenhouse gas]]es that can cause [[climate change]]. For example, the plastic manufacturing is capturing the [[carbon]] in an inert form (the plastic) and not releasing it to the atmosphere.

	Petrochemicals are derived from [[hydrocarbon]]s such as [[propane]], [[ethane]], [[butane]], or other components separated from [[crude oil]] and natural gas liquids. [[Naphtha]] - a mixture of [[flammable]] [[liquid]] hydrocarbons - is also important in the production of products made from petrochemicals. After being separated in some sort of [[fractional distillation\|distillation process]], separated hydrocarbons can be fed to a manufacturing facility known as a '''cracker'''. This cracker works to break chemical bonds in hydrocarbon materials which allows them to be converted into more useful chemicals for production.<ref name="RE1"/> One major petrochemical is ethylene, used to create polyethylene - one of the most important plastics in manufacturing.<ref name="RE2"/>		Petrochemicals are derived from [[hydrocarbon]]s such as [[propane]], [[ethane]], [[butane]], or other components separated from [[crude oil]] and natural gas liquids. [[Naphtha]] - a mixture of [[flammable]] [[liquid]] hydrocarbons - is also important in the production of products made from petrochemicals. After being separated in some sort of [[fractional distillation\|distillation process]], separated hydrocarbons can be fed to a manufacturing facility known as a '''cracker'''. This cracker works to break chemical bonds in hydrocarbon materials which allows them to be converted into more useful chemicals for production.<ref name="RE1"/> One major petrochemical is ethylene, used to create polyethylene - one of the most important plastics in manufacturing.<ref name="RE2"/>

	In petrochemical plants, '''monomers''' like ethylene are connected to form giant molecules with thousands of carbon [[atom]]s known as '''polymers'''. These long chains are then transformed into plastics through a variety of molding techniques.		In petrochemical plants, shown in Figure 1, '''monomers''' like ethylene are connected to form giant molecules with thousands of carbon [[atom]]s known as '''polymers'''. These long chains are then transformed into plastics through a variety of molding techniques.

	==Important Petrochemicals==		==Important Petrochemicals==
	99% of all plastics are created from oil and natural gas, with most being manufactured using naphtha feedstock. Naphtha is created during the distillation process, and is heavier than [[gasoline]]. It is one of the most important of all the petrochemicals simply because it is used in the production of plastics.<ref name="RE2">Total. (June 15, 2015). ''What is petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.totalrefiningchemicals.com/EN/aboutus/understand_petrochemicals/Pages/default.aspx</ref> Other important petrochemicals include:<ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals Flowchart'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html</ref>		99% of all plastics are created from oil and natural gas, with most being manufactured using naphtha [[feedstock]]. Naphtha is created during the distillation process, and is heavier than [[gasoline]]. It is one of the most important of all the petrochemicals simply because it is used in the production of plastics.<ref name="RE2">Total. (June 15, 2015). ''What is petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.totalrefiningchemicals.com/EN/aboutus/understand_petrochemicals/Pages/default.aspx</ref> Other important petrochemicals include:<ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals Flowchart'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html</ref>
	* '''Ethylene''': Used in paper, consumer electronics, detergents, footwear, and adhesives		* '''[[alkene\|Ethylene]]''': Used in paper, consumer electronics, detergents, footwear, and adhesives
	* '''Propylene''': Used in paints, furniture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food packaging		* '''[[alkene\|Propylene]]''': Used in paints, furniture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food packaging
	* '''Benzene''': Creates pharmaceuticals, furniture, electronics, and food packaging		* '''[[Benzene]]''': Creates pharmaceuticals, furniture, electronics, and food packaging
	* '''Methanol''': Used in thermal insulation and building construction		* '''[[Methanol]]''': Used in thermal insulation and building construction
	* '''Toluene''': Creates inks and sports equipment		* '''[[aromatic hydrocarbon\|Toluene]]''': Creates inks and sports equipment

	For a more in-depth look at the wide variety of petrochemicals and their uses, see [http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html here].		For a more in-depth look at the wide variety of petrochemicals and their uses, see [http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html here].
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	[[File:Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg\|750px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 3. A map showing the two garbage patches in the Pacific Ocean which combine to create the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 30, 2015). ''Pacific Garbage Patch'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg\|750px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 3. A map showing the two garbage patches in the Pacific Ocean which combine to create the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 30, 2015). ''Pacific Garbage Patch'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg</ref>]]

	In addition to the lack of biodegradability and long life, there are several health and environmental effects that can be connected to the disposal of plastics. First, the chemicals added to plastics can be absorbed by human bodies, and some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones and have other potential health effects. If ingested, these plastics can harm humans. This ingestion could occur from drinking water that has been contaminated by chemicals that have leeched out of plastics in landfills. As well as harming humans, plastic debris (whether still ~~in-tact~~ or broken down into small "pellets") are often ingested by marine animals and can injure or poison wildlife.<ref name=SA/>		In addition to the lack of biodegradability and long life, there are several health and environmental effects that can be connected to the disposal of plastics. First, the chemicals added to plastics can be absorbed by human bodies, and some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones and have other potential health effects. If ingested, these plastics can harm humans. This ingestion could occur from drinking water that has been contaminated by chemicals that have leeched out of plastics in landfills. As well as harming humans, plastic debris (whether still intact or broken down into small "pellets") are often ingested by marine animals and can injure or poison wildlife.<ref name=SA/>

	''For more information on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, see NOAA's page [http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/how-big-great-pacific-garbage-patch-science-vs-myth.html here].''		''For more information on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, see NOAA's page [http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/how-big-great-pacific-garbage-patch-science-vs-myth.html here].''

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Petroleum]]
			*[[Water pollution]]
			*[[Hydrocarbon]]
			*[[Natural gas]]
			*[[Fractional distillation]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-08-26T21:31:29Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:31, 26 August 2015
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J.williams at 16:58, 12 August 2015

2015-08-12T16:58:29Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-07-24]]
[[File:640px-TASNEE_001.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. A petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (June 15, 2015). ''TASNEE 001'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TASNEE_001.jpg#/media/File:TASNEE_001.jpg</ref>]]

<onlyinclude>'''Petrochemicals''' are [[chemical]]s derived from [[petroleum]] or [[natural gas]]. They are an essential part of the chemical industry as the demand for synthetic materials grows continually and plays a major part in today's economy and society.</onlyinclude><ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 12, 2015). ''What are petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/about-petrochemistry/what-are-petrochemicals.html</ref> Petrochemicals are used to manufacture thousands of different products that people use daily, including plastics, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, appliances, electronics, [[solar panel|solar power panels]], and [[wind turbine]]s.<ref name="RE1">American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals'' [Online]. Available: http://www.afpm.org/petrochemicals/</ref>

It's important to note that the biggest concern about [[fossil fuel]] use is from [[combustion]], turning these [[hydrocarbon]]s into [[carbon dioxide]] and water. So while there are environmental concerns about petrochemical manufacturing of plastics, it doesn't lead to a significant release of [[greenhouse gas]]es that can cause [[climate change]]. For example, the plastic manufacturing is capturing the [[carbon]] in an inert form (the plastic) and not releasing it to the atmosphere.

Petrochemicals are derived from [[hydrocarbon]]s such as [[propane]], [[ethane]], [[butane]], or other components separated from [[crude oil]] and natural gas liquids. [[Naphtha]] - a mixture of [[flammable]] [[liquid]] hydrocarbons - is also important in the production of products made from petrochemicals. After being separated in some sort of [[fractional distillation|distillation process]], separated hydrocarbons can be fed to a manufacturing facility known as a '''cracker'''. This cracker works to break chemical bonds in hydrocarbon materials which allows them to be converted into more useful chemicals for production.<ref name="RE1"/> One major petrochemical is ethylene, used to create polyethylene - one of the most important plastics in manufacturing.<ref name="RE2"/>

In petrochemical plants, '''monomers''' like ethylene are connected to form giant molecules with thousands of carbon [[atom]]s known as '''polymers'''. These long chains are then transformed into plastics through a variety of molding techniques.

==Important Petrochemicals==
99% of all plastics are created from oil and natural gas, with most being manufactured using naphtha feedstock. Naphtha is created during the distillation process, and is heavier than [[gasoline]]. It is one of the most important of all the petrochemicals simply because it is used in the production of plastics.<ref name="RE2">Total. (June 15, 2015). ''What is petrochemicals?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.totalrefiningchemicals.com/EN/aboutus/understand_petrochemicals/Pages/default.aspx</ref> Other important petrochemicals include:<ref>Petrochemicals Europe. (June 15, 2015). ''Petrochemicals Flowchart'' [Online]. Available: http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html</ref>
* '''Ethylene''': Used in paper, consumer electronics, detergents, footwear, and adhesives
* '''Propylene''': Used in paints, furniture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food packaging
* '''Benzene''': Creates pharmaceuticals, furniture, electronics, and food packaging
* '''Methanol''': Used in thermal insulation and building construction
* '''Toluene''': Creates inks and sports equipment

For a more in-depth look at the wide variety of petrochemicals and their uses, see [http://www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.html here].

==Concerns with Plastics==
[[File:1024px-Nurdles_01_gentlemanrook.jpg|360px|thumb|right|Figure 2. A picture of nurdles or "mermaid tears", which are broken down pieces of plastic.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 30, 2015). ''Nurdles'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Nurdles_01_gentlemanrook.jpg/1024px-Nurdles_01_gentlemanrook.jpg</ref>]]
The use of plastics in modern life is extremely widespread, and most products we use today are either made entirely of plastics or have plastic components. These plastics are made by using a variety of petrochemicals and provide us with a variety of goods from single-use saran wrap to components of our cars. Although plastics are used extensively, there are concerns with the sheer volume of plastics being used and disposed of in particular. In addition to the volume of plastic waste, the fact that plastic doesn't biodegrade is an issue.<ref name=how>Jacob Silverman. (July 29, 2015). ''Why is the world's biggest landfill in the Pacific Ocean?'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm</ref> Instead, plastic photodegrades into small bits of plastic known as '''mermaid tears''' or '''nurdles''' - shown in Figure 2 - that can absorb toxic chemicals. If these nurdles are then ingested, these toxins can then harm the animal. These waste plastics can wind up in landfills or oceans and these small pellets can be easily transported.

A core issue is that although plastics are long-lived products that ''could'' be used for many decades, the way they are used now tends to be in single-use items that are disposed of within a year. Once in a landfill, they will remain there for centuries.<ref name=SA>Jessica A. Knoblauch. (July 29, 2015). ''Plastic Not-So-Fantastic: How the Versatile Material Harms the Environment and Human Health'' [Online]. Available: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/plastic-not-so-fantastic/</ref> These plastics accumulate in landfills, and also in the ocean. Currently, there is a large mass of accumulating garbage in the ocean, composed mostly of plastics, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (shown in Figure 3). One common misconception is that large plastic pieces are floating around in this area, when in reality the majority of the waste has broken down into nurdles, which leaves the water looking cloudy and murky. This patch is estimated to be twice the area of Alberta<ref name=how/> (or twice the size of Texas for Americans<ref>Alberta and Texas are close to the same size, see a comparison here: Map Fight, Texas vs. Alberta (Accessed July 20th, 2015). Available: http://mapfight.appspot.com/texas-vs-alberta/texas-alberta-size-comparison</ref>).

[[File:Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg|750px|thumb|center|Figure 3. A map showing the two garbage patches in the Pacific Ocean which combine to create the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 30, 2015). ''Pacific Garbage Patch'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Pacific-garbage-patch-map_2010_noaamdp.jpg</ref>]]

In addition to the lack of biodegradability and long life, there are several health and environmental effects that can be connected to the disposal of plastics. First, the chemicals added to plastics can be absorbed by human bodies, and some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones and have other potential health effects. If ingested, these plastics can harm humans. This ingestion could occur from drinking water that has been contaminated by chemicals that have leeched out of plastics in landfills. As well as harming humans, plastic debris (whether still in-tact or broken down into small "pellets") are often ingested by marine animals and can injure or poison wildlife.<ref name=SA/>

''For more information on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, see NOAA's page [http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/how-big-great-pacific-garbage-patch-science-vs-myth.html here].''

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]