Handbook of Industrial Hydrocarbon Processes

James G. Speight

• Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128099247
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Tecnología e ingeniería
• Subtopic: Ingeniería química y bioquímica

Handbook of Industrial Hydrocarbon Processes, Second Edition, provides an analysis of the process steps required to produce hydrocarbons from various raw materials and how the choice of a process depends not only on technology, but also on external effects, such as social and economic developments, political factors affecting the availability of raw materials, and environmental legislation. This book qualitatively examines chemical processes and plant design by showing the factors determining process structures, including the underlying chemistry, feedstock, product specifications and reactor design. The book also compares the processes for different products based on raw materials and manufacturing processes based on their respective applications.

With the addition of useful flowcharts that present an overview of the chemical processes, process design and equipment, this book is a valuable resource to industry professionals on how to understand how hydrocarbons are produced from different raw materials and how to develop an instinct for the right process development strategy.

• Provides a qualitative analysis of chemical processes and plant design by showing the factors determining process structures
• Presents chemical processes in an organized, easy-to-read and understandable manner with the use of useful flowcharts and concise descriptions
• Includes updates on changes in existing technological and chemical processes, as well as possible future improvements or changes to other more economic or more readily available feedstocks

Chapter 1

Chemistry and chemical technology

Abstract

Chemistry is the science of matter and is concerned with the composition, behavior, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes matter undergo during chemical reactions. Chemistry is a physical science and is used for the investigation of atoms, molecules, crystals, and other assemblages of matter whether in isolation or combination, which incorporates the concepts of energy and entropy in relation to the spontaneity or initiation of chemical reactions or chemical processes.

The definitions of technology vary from one discipline to another. However, in the current context, chemical technology is the practical application of chemistry and chemical engineering to the needs of commerce or industry and is a multicomponent discipline which, in this context, deals with the application of chemical knowledge to the solution of practical. Chemical technology is also a human action that involves the generation of knowledge and (usually innovative) processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities.

This chapter explains the various aspects of chemistry and technology and prepares the reader for the terms used throughout the book.

Keywords

Bonding in carbon-based systems; Chemical technology; Hydrocarbons; Nonhydrocarbons; Properties of hydrocarbons

1. Introduction

Chemistry (from the Arabic al khymia) is the science of matter and is concerned with the composition, behavior, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes matter undergo during chemical reactions. Chemistry is a physical science and is used for the investigation of atoms, molecules, crystals, and other assemblages of matter whether in isolation or combination, which incorporates the concepts of energy and entropy in relation to the spontaneity or initiation of chemical reactions or chemical processes.

Disciplines within chemistry are traditionally grouped by the type of matter being studied or the kind of study and include the following (presented alphabetically): (i) analytical chemistry, which is the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical composition and structure, (ii) biochemistry, which is the study of substances found in biological organisms, (iii) inorganic chemistry, which is the study of inorganic matter (inorganic chemicals, such as minerals), (iv) organic chemistry, which is the study of organic matter (inorganic chemicals, such as hydrocarbon derivatives), and (v) physical chemistry, which is the study of the energy relations of chemical systems at macro, molecular, and submolecular scales.

In fact, the history of human culture can be viewed as the progressive development of chemical technology through evolution of the scientific and engineering disciplines in which chemistry and chemical engineering have played major roles in producing a wide variety of industrial chemicals, especially industrial organic chemicals (Ali et al., 2005). Chemical technology, in the context of the present book, relies on chemical bonds of hydrocarbon derivatives. Nature has favored the storage of solar energy in the hydrocarbon bonds of plants and animals, and the evolution of chemical technology has exploited this hydrocarbon energy profitably.

The focus of this book is hydrocarbon derivatives and the chemistry associated with these organic compounds which will be used to explain the aspects of hydrocarbon properties, structure, and manufacture. The book will provide information relating to the structure and properties of hydrocarbon derivatives and their production through process chemistry and chemical technology to their conversion into commercial products.

2. Organic chemistry

Organic chemistry is a discipline within chemistry that involves study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of carbon-based compounds (in this context—hydrocarbon derivatives).

On the other hand, inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds. This field covers all chemical compounds except the myriad of carbon-based compounds (such as the hydrocarbon derivatives), which are the subjects of organic chemistry. The distinction between the two disciplines is far from absolute, and there is much overlap, most importantly in the subdiscipline of organometallic chemistry in which o...