Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7048
+44-20-4587-4809
ISSN: 2157-7048
+44-20-4587-4809
Acheampong Maxwell
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Chem Eng Process Technol
Petrochemicals refer to the chemical products obtained as a result of the synthesis of petroleum derivatives. The five (5) principal groups of starting compounds for the synthesis of petrochemicals are: Paraffins, Olefins, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Acetylene, and Carbon monoxide and Synthesis gas. These principal groups of starting compounds are obtained from petroleum through thermal and catalytic processes such as pyrolysis, thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, reforming and catalytic hydrogenation. These starting compounds are subjected to various processes such as oxidation, alkylation, halogenation, esterification, etc., yielding products which differ widely in structure, properties and areas of application. Examples of such products include: Alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, phenols, etc. Depending on their application, these products can be grouped into two (2): Intermediate products and specialized application products. The economy of raw materials in petrochemical production is of great importance since the raw materials form a major part of production cost. Hence there is a need to develop new trends and technologies for the synthesis of petrochemicals in an economical way without compromising quality.