Chapter Two – Hydrocarbon Intermediates

Publisher Summary Natural gas and crude oils are the main sources for hydrocarbon intermediates or secondary raw materials for the production of petrochemicals. From natural gas, ethane and LPG are recovered for use as intermediates in the production of olefins and diolefins. Important chemicals such as methanol and ammonia are also based on methane via synthesis gas. On the other hand, refinery gases from different crude oil processing schemes are important sources for olefins and LPG. Crude oil distillates and residues are precursors for olefins and aromatics via cracking and reforming processes. This chapter reviews the properties of the different hydrocarbon intermediates paraffins, olefins, diolefins, and aromatics. Petroleum fractions and residues as mixtures of different hydrocarbon classes and hydrocarbon derivatives like methane, ethane, propane n-Butane and isobutane are the list of alkanes that are discussed in the chapter. Olefinic hydracarbon classes like ethylene, propylenes, and butylenes, butadines, and their properties are shown in detail. Aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene are a few hydrocarbons with a widespread use as petrochemicals. The extraction of aromatics is shown here. Liquid petroleum fractions and residues are the last topics discussed in detail at the end of the chapter.