There are a myriad of industrial chemicals. Certain are used in the production of consumer goods, some are used to generate energy as well as some are employed in the manufacture and production of industrial chemical. What are the essential chemicals in industrial manufacturing globally?
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Sulfuric acid is the largest and most frequently produced industrial chemical in the world. Its main industrial application is to create the phosphoric acid that is a key ingredient in many chemical fertilizers. Sulfuric acid is an essential ingredient in metal production especially in the production of zinc and copper and cleansing steel. The production of sulfuric acid is growing by 3percent per year, and is dependent in large part on demands from regions like the Asia-Pacific region.
Ethylene (C2H4)
More than 150 million tons of ethylene are produced each year, which is more than any other organic chemical. The demand for it can be attributed in large part due to the advancements in the manufacture of polymers, especially polyethylenes. It is also used in the production of other industrial chemicals, such as ethanol. What are the methods of making ethylene? Most often, it is through the steam cracking process of crude oil that results from an operation commonly referred to in the industry as “fracking.”
Sodium Hydroxide (NAOH)
Sodium Hydroxide is an organic compound that is vital to a variety of industries. It is used in industrial applications that range from paper production the development of textiles to cleaning agent manufacturing. Over 70,000,000 tons are produced annually. It’s usually made from the production of chlorine. Its popularity is due to its low cost and capability to “scrub” gasses to efficiently get rid of acids in burning.
Propylene (C3H6)
Also known as propene or propylene, methyl ethylene is organic compound that is a gas. It’s a natural byproduct from the process of fermentation, making it an essential chemical compound to aid in the growth of the green chemistry industry. However, it’s also made by burning fossil fuels. Propene is vital to the petrochemical industry, and also as a raw ingredient for various products. More than 85 million tons are produced each year around the world mostly for fuel or for the production of rubber/plastic.
Nitrogen (N2)
Hundreds of millions tons nitrogen gas are created each year. When it is combined with hydrogen, nitrogen creates ammonia, which is an essential industrial chemical. Nitrogen is utilized in various products, including dyes, fertilizers, fabrics and even explosives. Being gas, it produces an “unreactive atmosphere” and is therefore valuable for preserving food and for sterile electronics industry. In its liquid forms, it is essential in medical research and for preservation. Nitrogen is generally produced through the process of fractional distillation.
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