Petrochemicals Basics

Petrochemical products play a huge role in producing most industrial, commercial and consumer products
By Deneatra Harmon Any chemical made from natural gas or petroleum qualifies as a petrochemical. Basic petrochemicals include crude oil, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene or toulene, organic chemicals that contain carbon or made from plant and animal matter and inorganic chemicals like ammonia and sulfur.

Basic petrochemicals produce polymers like plastic, synthetic fibers and synthetic rubbers. Polyethylene and polystyrene fall under the plastics category, while petrochemicals such as butadiene convert to rubber. Nylon and polyester are synthetic fibers that are derived from petrochemicals. In addition to plastics and synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, petrochemicals appear in a variety of everyday products, including gasoline, fertilizer, detergents, asphalt, cosmetics and more. Petrochemical gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen and ozone are commonly used to create paper products. Petrochemical processing is most likely to be found in such markets as food and consumer packaging, automotive, medical and industrial, to name a few. Some petrochemicals basics to consider before making a decision to buy petrochemicals and equipment:

1. Identify the basic petrochemicals that you plan to use.

2. Get petrochemical information such what equipment to use with them and how they're applied.

3. Find a reliable petrochemical supplier or manufacturer.

Distinguish between basic petrochemicals

Learn about the basic petrochemicals that can be applied toward your projects or products.
Try:  Find base chemicals such as butadiene, ethylene and benzene at petrochemicals suppliers such as Total Petrochemicals USA. The facility also manufactures polyethylene and polystyrene. Air Products and Chemicals offers petrochemical products such as cryogenic liquid made from hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen. Find petrochemicals basics from independent manufacturer South Hampton Resources. Petrochemicals include petroleum ether, isohexane, normal hexane and pentane.

Research petrochemical information

Do your homework on the many uses of petrochemicals, how they can be applied and what equipment to use with petrochemical products. Some related equipment include valves, tubing and containers.
Try:  Petrochemical distributor Becker & Associates has automatic control valves, tank cleaning equipment and other petroleum handling equipment. Hoover Materials Handling Group sells bulk, chemical and petrochemical containers such as stainless steel grease bins. Search at Alpha Omega Swiss for petrochemical fittings and parts made from plastic, brass, aluminum, stainless steel or copper. Consider Frontline Industries for other petrochemical products such as seals for fluid-sealing applications.

Locate a certified petrochemical supplier or manufacturer

Buy basic petrochemicals or petrochemical products from a reputable petrochemical suppliers or petrochemical manufacturers.
Try:  Basic Industries serves the petrochemical, refining, and pulp and paper industries. In addition, they distribute to educational facilities, and nuclear and federal agencies. Tricon Energy works with petrochemicals, plasticizers, solvents and other aromatics.

• Make sure to search for petrochemical products from certified manufacturers. Most petrochemicals and petrochemical products are ISO- or ASTM-certified.