Petroleum Refining Processes Quiz

Petrochemical Industry

• Terephthalic acid (PTA) was the key aromatic compound in the production of polyester fibers and resins.
• Benzene and toluene derivatives played a major role in the production of detergents, dyes, and synthetic fibers during the 1950s-1960s.

Present Era

• The petrochemical industry focuses on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the 2000s.

Petrochemical Feedstock

• Naphtha is used as feedstock for pyrolysis to produce ethylene, propylene, and benzene.

Steam Cracking

• Naphtha is the primary raw material for steam cracking in petrochemical processing.

Polyester Production

• Terephthalic acid (PTA) was developed from benzene in the 1960s-1970s, enabling the production of polyester fibers and resins.

Refining Process

• Heating saturated hydrocarbons to high temperature results in the formation of unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromatics.
• Catalytic reforming yields aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and xylene, often using platinum-based catalysts.
• Steam stripping is used to remove contaminants from aromatics during petrochemical refining.

Polymerization

• Polymerization in petrochemical refining involves the combination of monomers to form large molecules.

Aromatics Extraction

• Extractive distillation is used to separate aromatics from non-aromatics during petrochemical refining.

PRII and COAT

• Philippine Resins Industries, Inc. (PRII) has a suspension-type polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin manufacturing facility with a capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year.
• The company is 80% owned by PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited.
• Chemrez Technologies, Inc. (COAT) started its operations in 1989 and uses a technology that occupies 187,200 square meters within PAFC Industrial Park.
• PRII aims to ensure a stable and efficient supply of resins to support its customers.

Benzene History

• Michael Faraday elucidated the unique aromatic structure of benzene.
• The use of benzene derivatives like styrene and butadiene was a significant milestone in the development of synthetic rubber.

World War II

• World War II accelerated the growth of the petrochemical industry during the 1940s.
• Benzene was a crucial raw material in producing synthetic rubber, plastics, and other materials during World War II.

Synthetic Rubber

• The synthesis of styrene from benzene and ethylene led to the development of synthetic rubber.

History of Benzene

• Eilhard Mitscherlich discovered benzene as a component of crude oil in the late 19th century.

Company Expansion

• The company expanded into the production of polypropylene resins in 2006.
• The company operates its business primarily in the petrochemical and fuel segments.
• The company can supply up to 20% of the country's fuel requirements.

Products and Brands

• The company markets polypropylene products under the EVALENE brand.
• The company primarily focuses on the petrochemical industry.