Chemical Industries

Chemical manufacturing is important as industries globally use various chemicals in their manufacturing processes.
The most chemicals which are manufactured are: –
 

Sulfuric Acid:  Sulfuric Acid is used to manufacture detergents, dyes, fabrics, plastics, fertilizers, paints, pharmaceuticals and much more. Sulfur is melted in a gas furnace at 140°C. Air from the atmosphere is collected and dried using gas dryers. The sulfur is then sprayed into a furnace, where it burns in the dry air. It then mixes with the oxygen in the air and forms sulfur dioxide. This forms sulfur dioxide, which is converted to sulfur trioxide via a catalyst vanadium oxide. Vanadium (V) oxide is most effective at 450°C and hence gas is required to help speed the conversion process. The sulfur trioxide is converted into fuming sulfuric acid also known as Oleum. This in then diluted with water to form sulfuric acid.
 

Ethylene and Propylene:  Ethylene is used in the food manufacturing industry to ripen fruits at a faster rate. It is also used in industries such as plastics, construction, textile and packaging. Propylene is used to produce acetone, polypropylene plastic and an also be employed as a refrigerant. It is also used for efficiency testing of gas burners and engines. The most common method producing ethylene and propylene is via a method called “steam cracking”. This is wherein hydrocarbons namely ethane and propane are preheated using a gas fired heat exchanger, mixed with steam, and then further heated to its incipient cracking temperature of around 500°C to 680°C. At this point, it enters a reactor where it is further heated at 750°C to 875°C for the cracking to occur. During this reaction, hydrocarbons crack into smaller molecules, producing ethylene and propylene.
 

Isopropyl alcohol: Since the spread of Covid – 19, the manufacturing of sanitizers has risen drastically. This has made the production of isopropyl alcohol of utmost priority. Isopropyl alcohol is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, soaps, window cleaners, non – pesticidal agricultural chemicals, cleaning solvents and much more. It is a major ingredient in “gas dryer” fuel additives. For making isopropyl alcohol, propylene and water are combined either in their liquid or gaseous forms. For a reaction to occur, a solid acidic catalyst is added when the two substances mix. Gas fired furnaces are used to apply pressure and heat. The unconsumed materials either run through the furnaces again or are separated for other uses. The process of distillation takes place in the end to create 100% isopropyl alcohol.
 

Sorbitol: Sorbitol is used as a laxative and is used in pharmaceutical companies to manufacture soft gel capsules. It is synthesized through catalytic hydrogenation of d-glucose at a temperature of 120°C which is achieved using gas.
 

Ammonia:  Ammonia is prepared using Natural Gas via Habers Process. Ammonia is an important component in fertilizer, pesticide production, as a refrigerant gas as well as in household cleaning products. It is also used  in the manufacturing of drugs, vitamins and hair dyes.
 

Hydrogen:  Natural Gas is used in the production of hydrogen. Hydrogen has many industrial applications such as hydrocracking, hydrodesulphurization hydrodealkylation.