Petroleum Products

 Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or kerosene, is a specialized type of high-energy-density liquid fuel that meets stringent specifications to ensure safe & efficient operation of aircraft. Jet fuel is typically derived from crude oil through a refining process known as fractional distillation.

The composition of jet fuel kerosene is primarily hydrocarbon molecules, typically ranging from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. These longer chains contribute to higher energy density and stability at higher temperatures.

 The composition of diesel fuel consists mainly of hydrocarbon molecules ranging from 12 to 16 carbon atoms. These longer chains contribute to its higher energy density and lower volatility.  Diesel fuel also has a lower volatility, meaning it evaporates slower and operates at higher compression ratios and more efficiently combusts within the engine's combustion chamber.  

To ensure optimal performance and environmental compatibility, diesel fuel undergoes hydrotreating, which reduces sulfur content to meet regulatory requirements and minimize emissions of sulfur compounds.  

 Gasoline is a fuel commonly used in internal combustion engines. It possesses distinct properties, such as flammability, volatility, an identifiable smell, clarity, a low freezing point, and a flash point. Due to these characteristics, gasoline generates high combustion energy.

Gasoline is essentially a blend of various liquid hydrocarbon compounds and serves as a fuel for internal combustion engines in vehicles. It is derived from crude oil and other petroleum liquids. Many individuals prefer gasoline as a fuel choice because of its potent combustion energy and its ability to easily mix with air in the carburetor.

 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) primarily consist of methane, which combines with other hydrocarbon compounds in cryogenic storage.

Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, including ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. LNG is a gas that contains approximately 90% methane (CH4), which is liquefied under atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of -163° Celsius. It is widely recognized for its high heat content and is used as a fuel in the aviation industry for powering generators in power plants.

In contrast, NGL is typically utilized as a raw material in the petrochemical industry, as well as for household consumption in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). LPG, which is a component of NGL, is predominantly composed of propane and butane.

It is important to note that LPG has a higher density than LNG. While LPG is in liquid form inside a cylinder, it rapidly transforms into gas when released under normal temperature and pressure conditions.

 Natural gas liquids (NGL) are components of natural gas that are separated from the gas state in the form of liquids. This separation occurs in a field facility or a gas processing plant through absorption, condensation, fractionation. 

ETHANE:

Chemical formula: C₂H₆

Boiling point: approximately -128.2°C 

Density: 0.55 g/cm³ at 20°C

PROPANE:

Chemical formula: C₃H₈

Boiling point: approximately -42.1°C 

Density: 1.88 g/cm³ at 20°C

BUTANE:

Chemical formula: C₄H₁₀

Boiling point: approximately -0.5°C 

Density: 2.49 g/cm³ at 20°C

ISOBUTANE:

Chemical formula: C₄H₁₀

Boiling point: approximately -11.7°C 

Density: 2.51 g/cm³ at 20°C

PENTANES:

Pentanes are used in natural gasoline and as a blowing agent for polystyrene foam. Pentanes plus, a special category (also known as natural gasoline), is blended with vehicle fuel and exported for bitumen production in oil sands.

 Methane is one of the most common types of natural gas. On a chemical scale, methane is known as CH₄. Methane is the main component of natural gas and biogas. It is colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. Ethane is a hydrocarbon gas known as C₂H₆. Ethane is also a major component in natural gas and is used as a raw material in the petrochemical industry to produce various chemical products. Ethane is colorless, odorless and flammable.  

Propane, butane, isobutane, and isopentane are types of hydrocarbon gases that are often used as fuels and lubricants. Propane (C₃H₈) is a gas commonly used in gas tanks for heating and cooking in households, as well as a fuelin gas-powered vehicles.  Butane (C₄H₁₀) has properties similar to propane and is also utilized in gas tanks for cooking and heating, as well as a fuel in lighters. 

Isobutane is an isomer of butane with a slightly different molecular structure, and is commonly used in aerosols, vehicle fuels, and the chemical industry.  Isopentane (C₅H₁₂) is also an isomer of pentane with a slightly different structure, and is frequently used in gasoline blends as a car fuel and in the chemical industry.  

 As defined by DIN 51603-1, extra-light heating oil is composed of various hydrocarbons obtained through the

distillation process of crude oil. Within this process, the fraction of gasoil is obtained, which has a boiling

range between 200° Celsius and 400° Celsius. Extra-light heating oil is a further refined version of gasoil,

where blending techniques are employed to meet the necessary parameters outlined in the respective fuel standards. By undergoing refining and blending, gasoil is transformed into extra-light heating oil.

In terms of energy content, approximately 11 kilowatt hours of energy can be derived from every litre of heating oil. Standard extra-light heating oil typically contains sulfur within the range of 50 to 1,000 milligrams per kilogram. However, since 2011, low-sulfur heating oil has become the predominant choice, accounting for over 99% of the market share. Low-sulfur extra-light heating oil sets a maximum sulfur content limit of 50 mg per kilogram. The shift towards low-sulfur heating oil has been driven by environmental

considerations and regulations aiming to reduce sulfur emissions.

The utilization of extra-light heating oil as a fuel source offers significant advantages for heating applications.

Its high energy content makes it an efficient choice, providing substantial heat output per unit volume. 

 Bunker and heavy fuel oils are defined by their high viscosity and density, ensuring their compatibility with the urgent operational requirements of large ships and industrial machinery. These fuels are stemming from crude oil through a refining process that requires the elimination of volatile hydrocarbons.

The remaining elements are cautiously incorporated to attain the intended properties, including optimal combustion effectiveness and thermal output. Regardless of the increasing focus on sustainable and cleaner energy alternatives, bunker and heavy fuel oils keep on being widely used due to their abundance, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Moreover, bunker and heavy fuel oils are also essential energy supplies mainly for large ships, power generation, and industrial processes. Bunker fuel is generally utilized by maritime vessels, while heavy fuel oil is implemented in power plants and industrial boilers. These energy sources are outstanding for their high viscosity and density, offering cost-effective solutions for rigorous operations.

Nevertheless, their higher sulfur content gives rise to environmental issues, leading to stricter regulations and the exploration of cleaner alternatives. 

 Asphalt serves as a multipurpose material broadly applied in road engineering and also act as a water repellent. It is comprised of a mixture of components, such as crushed stone and sand, interlocked by asphalt cement.

Bitumen, commonly referred to as asphalt binder or asphalt cement, is an essential element in road engineering, roofing, and asphalt mixes. It is a sticky, black, and highly adhesive substance originating from crude oil through a refining process. In road engineering, bitumen serves as a binder, bonding together the materials to form asphalt pavement. It provides cohesion and stability to the road surface, ensuring its durability and robustness. 

Bitumen can also be utilized in roofing construction, where it acts as a protective sealant, providing a protective layer against water and UV radiation. 

Its outstanding adhesive properties make it an important component in asphalt mixes for several paving projects.

 Naphtha is a versatile liquid hydrocarbon mixture derived from crude oil or natural gas condensates. It serves as a key feedstock in numerous industrial processes, including petrochemical production, and gasoline blending. Naphtha can be further categorized into two main types namely paraffinic and

aromatic naphtha.

Paraffinic naphtha primarily consists of straight-chain hydrocarbons, such as alkanes, with relatively

low levels of aromatic compounds. It finds widespread use in the petrochemical industry as a

fundamental raw material for manufacturing ethylene, propylene, and other essential building blocks

for plastics, synthetic fibers, and solvents. Additionally, paraffinic naphtha’s high-octane rating makes

it suitable for blending into gasoline, enhancing its combustion characteristics.

 Aromatic Naphtha contains a notable proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons,

including benzene, toluene, and xylene. These compounds possess unique chemical properties and

are utilized in the production of various chemicals, such as solvents, detergents, and polymers.

Aromatic naphtha also serves as a high-octane component in gasoline blending, improving the fuel’s

resistance to knocking. However, strict regulations are in place to limit the concentration of benzene, a

known carcinogen, in gasoline and consumer products. In summary, paraffinic and aromatic naphtha

play vital roles in the petrochemical industry, serving as valuable feedstocks for a wide range of

chemical and fuel production.

 Crude oil also is often referred to as “black gold”. It is a thick, dark brown or greenish flammable liquid found in the upper layers of specific areas in the Earth’s crust. The physical appearance of petroleum

can vary greatly depending on its composition, typically appearing black or dark brown, although it can also exhibit shades of yellowish, reddish, or even greenish. 

The primary use of petroleum is in the production of gasoline and fuel oil, which serve as the main sources of primary energy. Around 84% of the hydrocarbons found in petroleum are converted into various fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). While lighter

grades of petroleum yield the highest quality oil, the diminishing reserves of light and medium oil have

led oil refineries to increasingly process heavy oil and bitumen.