Definition: “Petrochemical” comes from the Ancient Greek language where “Petro” means “rock” in referring to these rocks, “Petro”, producing “oleum” meaning “oil” to become “petro-oleum”, the “oil of rocks”. Therefore the word “Petrochemical” has been originally given to the chemistry issued from the oil.
Comments: From process perspective, the “Petrochemical” industry begins where the “Refining” or “Gas treatment” stops. Both “Petrochemical” and “Refining” define the “Downstream” activities.
The “Petrochemical” products are part of the organic chemistry where many of the chemical compounds may be obtained as well from coal or gas. Therefore the use of “Petrochemical” has been extended to the chemical products coming from the gas and more generally from the carbon chain.
The “Petrochemical” products are divided in three groups:
- Olefins
- Aromatics
- Synthesis gas
