For most of us, petroleum is a word that conjures up images of going to the gas station to load up our gas tanks with fuel. While petroleum is used as a source of fuel, there are also other important products that are created or derived from petroleum. Petroleum products are all around us, so it is important to have a basic understanding of petroleum and what it's all about.
First of all, petroleum is a liquid that is found underground and the word petroleum is actually an amalgam of two Greek words that mean rock and oil. This black or yellow substance was used even in ancient times as a source of lighting fuel, for medicinal purposes and possibly even as a weapon. Scientists believe that "Greek Fire," was partially made using petroleum that seeped up from the ground naturally.
Petroleum is a mix of hydrocarbons, which is a type of organic compound that is made from hydrogen and carbon. Some of the petroleum, such as methane, propane and butane, exists as gases. Other heavier hydrocarbons are in either liquid or solid form. Petroleum also is called a fossil fuel, and while many people believe that petroleum is what remains of ancient dinosaurs, the truth is that petroleum began forming long before dinosaurs roamed the earth and is mostly comprised of algae and other single-celled organisms.
Of course, petroleum is used to make a wide variety of fuel, including the gasoline used to power the millions of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Other types of fuel that we get from processing petroleum include jet fuel, diesel fuel, butane and kerosene. Petroleum also is used to make motor oil and oils that are used to lubricate machine parts. Asphalt is another substance derived from petroleum and people have been using asphalt for thousands of years.
Many of the plastics that are used to produce a huge variety of items are made from petrochemicals, which are chemicals produced as a result of processing or refining petroleum. Most thermoplastics are made from petroleum-based substances. Food packaging, medical packaging, electronic packaging and many other types of retail product packaging is made from thermoplastic, which is a type of plastic that can be heated and molded into just about any shape. Thermoforming companies can create customized packaging for their clients using a variety of these petroleum-based thermoplastics.
If you've ever heard of PVC, then you already know about one type of thermoplastic that is created from petrochemicals. As we all know, many pipes are produced using PVC, but other items such as flooring and signs also are made using PVC. If you have ever had a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup, then you are familiar with another type of plastic produced from petrochemicals. Styrofoam is actually a brand name for a type of plastic that is actually called polystyrene.
First of all, petroleum is a liquid that is found underground and the word petroleum is actually an amalgam of two Greek words that mean rock and oil. This black or yellow substance was used even in ancient times as a source of lighting fuel, for medicinal purposes and possibly even as a weapon. Scientists believe that "Greek Fire," was partially made using petroleum that seeped up from the ground naturally.
Petroleum is a mix of hydrocarbons, which is a type of organic compound that is made from hydrogen and carbon. Some of the petroleum, such as methane, propane and butane, exists as gases. Other heavier hydrocarbons are in either liquid or solid form. Petroleum also is called a fossil fuel, and while many people believe that petroleum is what remains of ancient dinosaurs, the truth is that petroleum began forming long before dinosaurs roamed the earth and is mostly comprised of algae and other single-celled organisms.
Of course, petroleum is used to make a wide variety of fuel, including the gasoline used to power the millions of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Other types of fuel that we get from processing petroleum include jet fuel, diesel fuel, butane and kerosene. Petroleum also is used to make motor oil and oils that are used to lubricate machine parts. Asphalt is another substance derived from petroleum and people have been using asphalt for thousands of years.
Many of the plastics that are used to produce a huge variety of items are made from petrochemicals, which are chemicals produced as a result of processing or refining petroleum. Most thermoplastics are made from petroleum-based substances. Food packaging, medical packaging, electronic packaging and many other types of retail product packaging is made from thermoplastic, which is a type of plastic that can be heated and molded into just about any shape. Thermoforming companies can create customized packaging for their clients using a variety of these petroleum-based thermoplastics.
If you've ever heard of PVC, then you already know about one type of thermoplastic that is created from petrochemicals. As we all know, many pipes are produced using PVC, but other items such as flooring and signs also are made using PVC. If you have ever had a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup, then you are familiar with another type of plastic produced from petrochemicals. Styrofoam is actually a brand name for a type of plastic that is actually called polystyrene.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further details about plastic thermoforming solutions or to find out more about thermoform molding, please go to the Indepak site now.
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