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Petroleum: Uses and Composition
Introduction
Petroleum is a natural resource, which is usually yellow to black in color and is found in the
Earths crust. It consists of various organic compounds. Petroleum is prepared over years after
large quantities of dead organisms are decomposed under sedimentary rocks with intense heat
and pressure. Petroleum refers to both, the crude oil recovered from the ground and the
petroleum products that are made out of the refined petroleum.
After it is drilled from the ground, it is then separated from other minerals such as kerosene
and other chemical reagents. Petrol is then used to manufacture a variety of products.
The use of petroleum and other fuels obtained from the ground do have a negative impact on
the earths environment and biosphere because these release a number of pollutants and
greenhouse gases.
The largest amount of oil produced in the world is by Saudi Arabia, followed by Russia and
United States.
Uses
Petroleum, due to its composition of different hydrocarbons, can be used for various purposes.
It can be treated and distilled to extract any component from it. The most common factors
retrieved after distillation of petroleum are fuels. These include, Liquified Petroleum Gas,
Kerosene, Petrol, Butane, Jet Fuel, Fuel Oil and Diesel Fuel. Other derivatives of petrol include
waxes, lubricants, Sulphuric acid, paraffin wax, aromatic petrochemicals and many others.
Moreover, nearly all pesticides and many fertilizers are made out of petrol. This is the primary
reason of the boost of the agriculture industry since 1940s.
Composition:
Petroleum includes hydrocarbons in all formations i.e. solid, liquid and gaseous. On surface
pressure and temperature, methane, ethane, propane and butane remain gasses, while
pentane and other heavy hydrocarbons occur as liquids and solids. When retrieved from an oil
well, the crude oil will consist of some natural gas as well. The crude oil may consist of fifty to
ninety percent of light oils, while the remainder consists of heavy oils. The hydrocarbons in the
solution mostly include gaseous forms of alkanes and cycloalkanes. It also consists of Nitrogen
Oxygen and Sulfur and some metals such as nickel and copper.
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A gas well whereas, mostly comprises of heavy and light hydrocarbons, both in gaseous forms.
When in condensed form, these are called condensate. Condensate resembles petrol in
appearance and has similar physical properties to crude oil.
Petroleum retrieved from different places may vary in composition and therefore will have
different physical and chemical properties. It may vary greatly in color and viscosity, etc.


















Source:
http://www.researchomatic.com/the-composition-and-uses-of-petroleum-147177.html