Petrochemistry

Petrochemicals are the chemical by products of refining petroleum, also referred to as petchems. Some of the chemical compounds produced by petroleum may also be created from renewable sources like maize, palm fruit, or sugar cane as well as alternative fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. Olefins and aromatics are the two most prevalent groups of petrochemicals. Olefins and aromatics are produced in oil refineries by the fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum fractions. Olefins are made at chemical facilities by steam splitting liquid natural gas, such as ethane and propane. By catalytically reforming naphtha, aromatic compounds are created. Olefins and aromatics are the building blocks for a variety of substances, including cleaners, adhesives, and solvents. Olefins serve as the building blocks for the polymers and oligomers used to make gels, lubricants, elastomers, resins, fibres, and plastics.