THE 5 MAIN APPLICATIONS OF HYDROCARBONS - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The main applications of hydrocarbons are in transportation, as fuel, and in industry. But they also have numerous uses in other fields, such as in cosmetics or in the manufacture of plastics.

In this way, we find these components in plastics, insecticides and even in cosmetics or soaps. We can say that they are the basis of today's economy.

There are different types of hydrocarbons, depending on how the molecules made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms are organized. Most of them have their origin in oil and need further processing to be able to be used in its different forms.

By their nature, they are considered a non-renewable and finite resource, without the possibility that man can manufacture it.

Main applications of hydrocarbons

Some petroleum derivatives can be improved by the action of P4O10 on their molecules. Author: drpepperscott230. Source: Pixabay.

The uses of hydrocarbons can be roughly divided between energy, such as gasoline or natural gas, and those for special products.

Liquid fuels

The so-called fossil fuels come from oil. We can define them as a class of hydrocarbons that ignite when heated in the presence of oxygen.

The most common today are the different types of gasoline, diesel and kerosene. They are also used for all industrial machinery and for electric generators.

Most vehicles run on this type of fuel, making it irreplaceable today. However, the pollution it causes and the anticipation of its depletion is leading to the investigation of a possible substitute in the medium term.

Natural gas

Natural gas is becoming increasingly important in many fields, from industrial to various uses in the home.

These gaseous hydrocarbons are extracted either from independent deposits or from others associated with oil.

In recent years it is being used as fuel for transportation. There are vehicles that run on methane or propane, being cheaper and less polluting than those that need gasoline or diesel.

As domestic applications it is used in heating and cooking. For its part, it is widely used in industry, from metallurgy to glass manufacturing.

Manufacture of plastics

Another use that is given to hydrocarbons is the manufacture of plastics. For this they need a processing that takes place in the petrochemical industry.

Plastics are one of the most common materials in everyday life, due to their resistance and the possibility of giving them a multitude of shapes.

There are three different classes, depending on their chemical structure and the way they have been manufactured: thermosetting, thermoplastic and polyurethane.

The most widely used plastic is polyethylene, which we can find in such common products as bags, containers or pipes.

Soaps and cosmetics

Although in principle we do not associate hydrocarbons with these types of articles, the truth is that almost all creams, soaps or cosmetic products have them among their ingredients.

The most common compounds are petroleum itself and mineral oil. Both are widely used in moisturizers or lotions, as they provide a smooth sensation.

However, the use of these materials in beauty or cleaning supplies may have little future. Research by various agencies has warned of its possible negative health effects.

The World Health Organization itself recommends not using these components, as they could be carcinogenic.

Insecticides and pesticides

Hydrocarbons are one of the most present compounds in the different types of insecticides and pesticides.

Its use dates back to the 1940s. It was then that chlorides began to be used to try to eradicate the different pests that plagued crops.

This is how products such as DDT or dieldrin were born, which proved highly effective in this field. Later, new research greatly expanded the number of compounds.

In recent years, however, attempts are being made to eliminate their use, since they cause great environmental damage and can be harmful to the health of consumers.

References

1. Renneboog, Richard MJ. Uses Of Hydrocarbons. Retrieved from scienceiq.com
2. Carey, Francis A. Hydrocarbon (2017). Retrieved from www.britannica.com
3. Hanania, Jordan; Stenhouse, Hailyn. Hydrocarbon resource. Retrieved from energyeducation.ca
4. Iquimicas staff. The chemical composition of perfume (May 4, 2017). Obtained from iquimicas.com
5. Melendi, Daniel. Plastics cricyt.edu.ar.