Fields and areas of application of petroleum. Where is petroleum used?

The extraction and refining of petroleum have occupied an important place in the global economy for two centuries. This is an important topic that interests many people. But not everyone knows what fields and areas of application of petroleum exist. We will discuss this in this article.

Petroleum - black gold

Petroleum, like many other substances, became known to humans many centuries ago. But petroleum was called «black gold» precisely because of its invaluable properties and its ability to be refined. Petroleum refining produces many useful products and materials that have found application in various fields. What is this substance?

Petroleum is a combustible liquid with an oily structure. In nature, petroleum of different colors can be found. Most often it is a dark brown or black liquid, but yellow, green or even white petroleum (so-called «white oil») also occurs. This substance consists of liquid hydrocarbons, nitrogen elements, organic acids and many other chemical compounds.

Fields and areas of application of petroleum

Almost every item or product we use contains petroleum refining products. And to prove this, let us describe the most popular fields and areas of application of petroleum.

1. Different types of fuel are the main product of petroleum refining. Petroleum refining includes many complex interconnected processes, as a result of which liquid fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and fuel oil) and raw materials for further processing are obtained.
2. Second place is rightly occupied by plastic. Every day we use plastic containers, various bags and sacks made of plastic. All of them are made from petroleum. Plastic is very convenient because it easily takes any shape and has properties that are useful for manufacturing household items.
3. Synthetic fabrics. At present, there are various artificial fibers (nylon, acrylic, polyester) from which clothing is made. They have excellent properties for producing many different types of clothing, from underwear to footwear.
4. Petroleum is also used in its raw, unrefined form for the construction of pipelines and power transmission lines.
5. Synthetic rubbers. Petroleum refining products serve as raw materials for producing this substance as well. Rubber is subsequently used to make tires for different types of transport.
6. Solar panels. Panels on which photovoltaic cells are applied to convert solar energy are produced from petroleum products.
7. Food products. People have learned to produce synthetic protein from petroleum, which has become a cheaper substitute for animal protein. Paraffin resins, which are also obtained from petroleum, are used in the production of chewing gum.

Use of petroleum in medicine and cosmetology

Medicine also cannot do without petroleum. Many medical preparations are made from hydrocarbons - derivatives of petroleum products. These preparations include aspirin, phenyl salicylate, petroleum jelly, streptocide, antibiotics, various antiseptics and anti-allergic substances.

Cosmetic products (nail polishes, eyeliners and lip pencils, lipstick) contain propylene glycol, mineral substances and parabens. These substances are products of petroleum refining. For example, lipsticks contain ceresin and liquid and solid paraffins, which are also products of petroleum refining. They are added to moisturize the skin, increase shelf life, and give cosmetic products viscosity and the required consistency.

Petroleum is a resource in demand all over the world. As can be seen, it is used in many different fields, from the fuel industry to the food industry. Life without petroleum is already impossible to imagine, and with the development of science and technology, the fields and areas of application of petroleum will surely expand.