Petroleum, also known as crude oil and even as Ouro Negro, lives up to this name, as it has become the main source of fuel in modern society. It is present in our vehicles and in objects that we use in our daily lives, such as makeup, packaging, fabrics, etc.
When it comes to chemical composition, oil has its own: it is made up of organic compounds called hydrocarbons. If subjected to fractional distillation, crude oil can give rise to different organic fractions, with different molecular weights. The heavier hydrocarbons are in solid form, and the lighter ones are gases. With this principle it is possible to obtain petroleum fractions for all tastes.
The so-called oil refineries are responsible for leaving it free from impurities and contaminating materials. Once fractionated, the oil goes to the vast petrochemical industry, where it will be converted into by-products such as: kerosene, diesel oil, natural gas, cooking gas, greases, paraffins and Gasoline.
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By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Organic composition of petroleum"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/composicao-organica-petroleo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
