Petrochemical Engineering and Its Primary Uses

Name: Petrochemical Engineering and Its Primary Uses
Author: KnowledgeCity

Learn the terminology and key processes involved in petrochemical engineering

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Course: On-Demand

To begin, let's take a high level overview of everything involved in petrochemicals, including their history, chemical composition, and the methods used for removing them from the earth's crust. Petrochemical engineering is the science of extracting, processing and refining of chemical products from petroleum sources. It exists in reservoirs just below the earth's surface as a mixture of different hydrocarbons, trace metal impurities, gases, oils, olefins, and waxes. The demand for petroleum-based products grew from the centuries-old process of extracting and distilling crude oil from various human purposes. This would eventually contribute to the development of oil-based lamps and mechanical lubricants in the 1850s. Fast forward to the next century, where this industry would evolve to produce fuels for automobiles, ships and planes. As the engineering field advance, so did the petroleum industry. Let's go a little more in depth on petroleum. This is a heavy substance made from the decomposition of a large volume of organic material that has been subject to heat and pressure, much like the process that creates diamonds from carbon. These compounds begin formation millions of years in the past, which is why they're called fossil fuels. Zooplankton, algae, and various animals decompose and sink to the bottom of the ocean, where they are then buried under many layers of sand, sediment, and mud over time. These fossil fuels are then concentrated into wells below the earth's surface due to a combination of heat and pressure, which moved them upward through rock formations until there's a bubble of material collected. Since these oils, liquids and gases are forced up to that space also called a reservoir, it becomes viable for drill extraction. Natural gas is one of the lightest compositions of petroleum, mostly comprised of methane, butane, propane, and other alkane-based hydrocarbons. Olefins are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double carbon chain, also called alkenes. Waxes are petroleum compounds that are solid at room temperature and are typically used for lubrications and insulation.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 9 Lessons · 24m in Arabic, English

Course Description

Petrochemical engineering is the science of extracting, processing, and refining chemical products from petroleum sources. In this course, you will be introduced to petrochemical engineering as well as the primary uses of petrochemicals. We will examine the different forms of petroleum, such as crude oil and natural gas, and a myriad of uses for each form. We will also examine the different types of fuels and their uses as well as many everyday items that are made from petrochemicals.

As we dive deeper into the nature of petrochemicals, we will come to understand the history of petrochemicals and the terminology related to petrochemicals. We will discuss the composition of petrochemicals, how petrochemicals are formed, and the origin of fossil fuels. We will examine petroleum migration and the different types of crude oil compositions. Natural gas is the other half of fossil fuels, also known as light paraffins, which we will explore. We will also look at the different types of fuels and their uses as well as many everyday items that are made from petrochemicals.

What You'll Learn

Understand the primary uses of petrochemicals and petroleum engineering
Analyze the composition of petrochemicals and how they are formed
Recall the history of petrochemicals and related terminology
Examine crude oil composition, physical properties, and boiling points
Explore the different forms of petroleum such as crude oil and natural gas
Identify the types of fuels and everyday items made from petrochemicals

Key Takeaways

Petrochemical engineering is the science of extracting, processing, and refining chemical products from petroleum sources.
Petroleum takes different forms, such as crude oil and natural gas, each with many uses.
Natural gas, also known as light paraffins, is the other half of fossil fuels alongside crude oil.
The course covers the composition of petrochemicals, how they are formed, and the origin of fossil fuels.
Many everyday items and various types of fuels are made from petrochemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It introduces petrochemical engineering and the primary uses of petrochemicals, examining the forms of petroleum (crude oil and natural gas), types of fuels, the history and terminology of petrochemicals, their composition and formation, the origin of fossil fuels, petroleum migration, and crude oil compositions.

What will I learn about crude oil?

The course examines crude oil composition, the different types of crude oil compositions, petroleum migration, and the physical properties of crude oil, including boiling points.

Does the course cover natural gas?

Yes. Natural gas, described as the other half of fossil fuels and also known as light paraffins, is explored as one of the forms of petroleum.

What skills does this course relate to?

It relates to Chemical Engineering, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Petrochemical, Petroleum Engineering, Process Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering Certification.

What topics are included in the lessons?

Lessons cover What is Petrochemical Engineering?, Petrochemicals, Crude Oil Composition, Fuels, Resource Chemicals, Boiling Points, Physical Properties of Crude Oil (Parts 1 and 2), and Natural Gases.