Petrochemistry & Green Planet: Pipe Dream or Reality?

Petrochemistry and the Green Planet: a Pipe Dream or Reality?
Vladislav Kireev

In the book «Petrochemistry and the Green Planet: A Distant Dream or Reality?», we will delve into the intricate world of the petrochemical industry, examining its significance in today’s society and its environmental impact.

Petrochemistry and the Green Planet: a Pipe Dream or Reality?

Vladislav Kireev

© Vladislav Kireev, 2023

ISBN 978-5-0060-7762-1

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

Contents

– Introduction – p.2

– Chapter 1: History of the Petrochemical Industry: Environmental and Climate Impact. – p.3

– Chapter 2: The Role of Legislation and Regulation in Transforming Petrochemicals to a More Environmentally Sustainable Sector. – p.22

– Chapter 3: Quality Management System in the Oil and Gas Industry. – p.30

– Chapter 4: Assessing Potential Risks and Threats of Oil Refineries’ Operations. – p.34

– Chapter 5: Air Pollution in Nizhnekamsk: Main Sources and Characteristics. – p.45

– Chapter 6: Circular Economy and Waste Management in Petrochemicals: Opportunities and Challenges. (examples from Russia and the USA) – p.49

– Chapter 7: Investment and Financing of Sustainable Projects in the Petrochemical Sector. (examples from Russia and the USA) – p. 66

– Chapter 8: Challenges and Prospects for Russia’s Sustainable Economic Development in Modern Realities. – p. 71

– Chapter 9: Environmental Safety in the Context of the Current State and Development Trends of the Global, Western European, and Russian Petrochemical Sectors. – p. 82

– Chapter 10: Role of Society and Consumers in the Transition to Green Petrochemistry. – p. 86

– Chapter 11. Article 8: Main Aspects of the Issue of Environmental Risk Management Amidst Rapid Growth of the US Petrochemical Industry. – p. 95

– Chapter 12: Key Factors for the Successful Development of Petrochemical Enterprises in the Context of Current and Forecasted Global Growth Rates for the Industry in 2023—2025. – p. 101

– Chapter 13: Step-by-Step Guide to Transitioning to an “Eco-friendly Petrochemical Industry” – p. 105

– Conclusion: Petrochemical Transformation – A Dream or Inevitable Reality? – p.112

Introduction

Petrochemistry is a pivotal industry sector responsible for producing a wide range of chemical products and materials derived from petroleum. On one hand, it is hard to imagine our everyday lives without the contribution of petrochemicals, but on the other hand, the activities of petrochemical enterprises lead to severe environmental consequences, adversely affecting our surroundings and contributing to climatic challenges. This underscores the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions within this industry to protect our planet.

In the book “Petrochemistry and the Green Planet: A Distant Dream or Reality?”, we will delve into the intricate world of the petrochemical industry, examining its significance in today’s society and its environmental impact. We then raise the question: Is it possible to harmonize the petrochemical industry with the welfare of our planet?

Throughout the chapters, we will explore various facets of this field. From tracing the historical development of petrochemistry, from its inception and early chemical processes to the contemporary technologies and innovations shaping its future, we’ll highlight its economic role and the latest technological breakthroughs.

The book pays special attention to pressing questions and the quest for answers. We will analyze the petrochemical industry’s impact on the environment, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution of water and soil. Concurrently, we’ll spotlight the ongoing innovations and the green revolution within this sector, investigating the possibilities of rendering petrochemistry more sustainable and environmentally accountable.

The book addresses the intricate challenges confronting the petrochemical industry and offers its readers a myriad of perspectives and solutions to overcome them. We’ll discuss exemplary practices and innovations, as well as the visions of experts committed to fostering a green and sustainable petrochemical industry.

This book serves as a call for deep reflection and dialogue, urging collective efforts to strike a balance between modern society’s needs and caring for the future of our planet. I firmly believe that a green planet and petrochemistry can become a dream turned reality when society recognizes its responsibility towards Earth and unites in pursuit of this objective.

CHAPTER №1

History of the Petrochemical Industry: Environmental and Climatic Impact

The Dawn of the Petrochemical Era

The inception of the petrochemical era is closely tied to the discovery of oil in the late 19th century. It became an industrial raw material for the production of various chemical products for the first time. This pivotal event marked the start of the petrochemical industry’s growth and had a profound influence on the global economy and industry.

Let’s travel back to the late 19th century. The era of initial oil discoveries and the first oil wells emerged in the USA and Russia. One of the most iconic of these ones was the Spindletop oil well in Texas, USA, established in 1901. This discovery was a watershed moment in the development of the oil industry, attracting the attention of investors and entrepreneurs to the prospects of the oil business.

In the early 20th century, the first chemical plants based on oil evolved into one of the industry’s most significant innovations. Scientists and engineers sought ways not just to derive fuel from oil, but also to create other components, breaking new ground for the oil refining and petrochemical industry.

With the advancement of technologies and research, new methods were discovered along with new chemical compounds from oil, such as styrene, a strategically important raw material for producing synthetic rubber. It was first synthesized in 1927, marking a significant milestone in the petrochemical industry. Due to its unique properties, synthetic rubber began to successfully compete with its natural analogue, ensuring itself a strong position in global industrial markets.

Economic Boom of the Petrochemical Industry

The beginning of the 20th century was a time of profound changes in politics, culture, economics, and industry. Petrochemical industry was one of the most striking illustrations of these changes, which underwent incredible transformations during World War I from 1914 to 1918.

Prior to the war, the petrochemical sector was primarily focused on the production of illuminating oils and lubricants. However, the global military conflict required new solutions, ranging from the creation of explosives to modern synthetic materials. This provided a strong impetus for industry development, including research and innovation, laying the groundwork for contemporary petrochemistry.

During the wartime, with the demand for mass resource mobilization, state investments in the petrochemical industry surged. This led to the development of new technologies and equipment, expanded production scales, and consequently reduced production costs. The emergence of the first polymer materials marked a significant breakthrough, considering their extensive application in modern life.

This period is also characterized by exceptional collaboration between the state, scientific institutes, and the private sector. National interests and economic needs converged, allowing the petrochemical industry to make a significant leap forward. In this context, World War I not only became a tragic event in human history but also a catalyst for technological progress. This era can be considered the starting point for the development of the petrochemical industry, which has since continued to evolve, adapting to constantly changing global conditions and challenges.

The mid-20th century emerged as a symbol of the economic rise of the petrochemical industry, a time when enigmatic chemical formulas and engineering calculations became a force shaping the fate of nations and the quality of life for millions. The ever-increasing demand for energy, the widespread use of plastics and synthetic materials, as well as a revolution in pharmaceuticals, propelled petrochemistry to a new level, establishing it as one of the foundations of modern civilization.

During these years, special attention was devoted to the development and implementation of new technologies. The advent of catalytic cracking, deep processing methods, and new types of polymers enabled the most efficient use of crude oil. This led to a reduction in production costs and an expansion of the product range, from household chemicals to aviation fuel.

Due to industrial growth, which brought the petrochemical sector along with it, funds emerged for investment in research and development. Major corporations, such as “DuPont” “BASF” and “Dow Chemical” became innovation leaders, developing products that became daily necessities. For instance, the synthesis of the 66-polymer (nylon), which was first conducted on February 28, 1935, by W. Carothers, the chief chemist of the American company “DuPont.” The broader public was informed about this on October 27, 1938. Nylon became the first mass-produced synthetic material and found widespread use in the textile and other industries, replacing natural materials like silk and cotton. Nylon is actively used in clothing production, especially sportswear and casual wear, as well as in accessories, parachutes, string instruments, cables, and other products. Currently, nylon is one of the most used materials worldwide due to its strength, lightness, and wear resistance.

During this period, there was active government intervention. From infrastructure expansion to the introduction of environmental standards, the state became a key partner of the private sector, providing the necessary conditions for growth and development.

However, this boom did not go unnoticed for the environment and social sphere. The growth in production was followed by increased emissions and pollution, raising concerns about the long-term implications for the ecosystem and human health. Nonetheless, the economic rise of the petrochemical industry in the mid-20th century can be considered a historical moment when technological progress and commercial success converged, defining the trajectory of development for decades to come. This period became a symbol of the opportunities and challenges that the petrochemical sector presented to the world, and whose repercussions we still perceive today.

The plastic industry’s growth was one of the most influential technological and economic processes of modern times. Plastic has a multitude of applications in various sectors, including packaging, automotive industry, construction, medicine, and many others. The first forms of plastics were invented in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but they gained widespread popularity only after World War II when there was a need for cheap and easily processable materials. The rapid growth of plastic production began in the 1950s, partly due to the rise of the consumer market. Plastic became a symbol of a “fast-paced” lifestyle, offering convenient solutions from food storage and transportation to an extremely broad range of human needs. Over time, more specialized types of plastics with unique properties emerged, including high-strength, heat-resistant, and biocompatible materials. This expanded their use in more technically complex sectors, such as aerospace and medical industries. However, with the growth of plastic production, the environmental issue also worsened. Oceans are filled with plastic waste, many of which do take centuries to decompose. This, in turn, led to the need to reconsider plastic waste management approaches and search for biodegradable alternatives.

In recent decades, the focus has shifted towards the development of biodegradable forms of plastic and efficient recycling methods. There is a growing interest in a circular economy, where the aim is to minimize waste and reuse materials.

In summary, we can say that overall, the plastic industry continues to evolve, adapting to changing technological and environmental requirements.