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

Many items and materials we use are directly or indirectly connected with petroleum refining products and petrochemistry. Let us describe the most common 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. Road construction and industrial infrastructure. Heavy petroleum fractions are used to produce bitumen, asphalt binders, lubricants, paraffin waxes and protective compounds. Petrochemical materials are also used in pipe coatings, cable insulation and sealants.
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. Electrical engineering, electronics and energy equipment. Solar cells themselves are usually not made from petroleum, but petrochemical polymers may be used in insulation, housings, films, sealants and protective layers of equipment.
7. Packaging and consumer goods. Paraffin waxes, synthetic resins, adhesives and petrochemical polymers are used in packaging materials, household products and some technological components, for example in chewing gum bases.

Use of petroleum in medicine and cosmetology

Medicine also uses petrochemical products. They are used to make some excipients, solvents, polymer materials, packaging, disposable medical products, petroleum jelly, mineral oils and certain components for synthesizing medicinal substances. At the same time, not every medicine is produced directly from petroleum: more often petrochemistry acts as raw material or as part of the technological chain.

Cosmetic products, for example nail polishes, eyeliners and lip pencils, lipsticks, creams and balms, may contain petrochemical components: mineral oils, petroleum jelly, ceresin, microcrystalline wax, liquid and solid paraffins, synthetic polymers and solvents. They are added to protect 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 fuel and transport to the chemical industry, construction, medicine, cosmetics and packaging. As technologies develop, some materials may be replaced by more environmentally friendly alternatives, but petrochemistry remains an important part of modern industry.