Industrial energy in transition: a petrochemical perspective

Journal Article · Fri Feb 10 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.199.4329.614· OSTI ID:6452082

Wishart, R S

The future growth of the petrochemical industry depends in part on the industry's ability to improve efficiency in the use of oil and gas feedstocks and to develop promising alternatives. Technological innovation is proving to be the key to the long-term viability of the industry. The next 6 to 7 years will be characterized by the commercialization of new technologies designed to improve the efficiency of petroleum as a feedstock. Union Carbide's advanced cracking reactor now nearing the demonstration stage, exemplifies this type of effort. The increasing price of oil and gas will make coal-based synthesis gas more attractive as a feedstock, particularly for oxygenated petrochemical products. A further development involves the conversion of biomass, through fermentation, to useful chemical products and the gasification of municipal wastes to raise steam for electricity generation and as a possible supplemental feedstock. By the year 2000, it is predicted that feedstocks from all sources other than oil and gas may constitute 10 to 14 percent of the total new material requirement for the petrochemical industry.

• Research Organization: Union Carbide Corp., NY
• OSTI ID: 6452082
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 199:4329; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010500 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Products & By-Products
02 PETROLEUM
020500* -- Petroleum-- Products & By-Products
03 NATURAL GAS
030400 -- Natural Gas-- Products & By-Products
09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
090222 -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
ACETIC ACID
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
AMMONIA
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BY-PRODUCTS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COAL
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
COST
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHANOL
FERMENTATION
FLUIDS
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
FURANS
FURFURAL
GAS FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
GLYCEROL
GLYCOLS
HEAT RECOVERY
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
METHANOL
MINERAL OILS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
MONOSACCHARIDES
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NATURAL GAS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OILS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS
RECOVERY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SACCHARIDES
SHALE OIL
SORBITOL
SYNTHESIS GAS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
SYNTHETIC PETROLEUM
THERMAL CRACKING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES