| Glossary N-P |
| Nn Naphtha Petroleum Naphtha is a petroleum distillate containing principally aliphatic hydrocarbons. It is the primary source from which petrochemicals are derived. Natural gas Colourless, highly flammable gaseous hydrocarbon consisting primarily of methane, ethane, and small amounts of heavier gaseous hydrocarbon compounds such as propane. Ethane and propane, also called natural gas liquids (NGL), are converted into ethylene and propylene by steam cracking. It is a type of petroleum that commonly occurs in association with crude oil. NBR See Nitrile-butadiene-rubber NGL Natural gas liquids. See Natural gas. Nitrile-butadiene-rubber (NBR) A synthetic rubber used in many applications, including the automotive industry. Nylon A synthetic plastic material derived from benzene. Nylon can be used to form fibres, filaments, bristles, or sheets to be manufactured into yarn, fabric, and cordage; and it can be formed into moulded products. Nylon is tough, elastic and strong, and it has high resistance to wear, heat, and chemicals. It is generally known in the form of fine filaments in such articles as hosiery and sports equipment, e.g. parachutes; but its applications also include engineering plastics for cars, toys, healthcare products, carpets, roller-blade wheels, ship sails and parachutes. Oo Occupational exposure The occupational exposure is a standard term that concerns adult workers in good health, with a possible exposure of 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, 11 months per year. See Exposure. Octane For a gasoline engine to work efficiently, gasoline must burn smoothly without premature detonation, or knocking. Severe knocking can dissipate power output and even cause damage to the engine. When gasoline engines became more powerful in the 1920s, it was discovered that the most extreme knocking effect was produced by a fuel composed of pure normal heptane, while the least knocking effect was produced by pure isooctane. This discovery led to the development of the octane scale for defining gasoline quality. OEL Occupational Exposure Limit. Organic chemicals Organic chemicals are based on carbon compounds and form the backbone of the petrochemicals industry, while inorganic chemicals are non-carbon chemicals, such as chlorine, alkalis or hydrogen peroxide. Every chemical is either organic or inorganic. Orthoxylene Orthoxylene is an isomer of mixed xylene. It is primarily used in plasticisers (primarily in flexible polyvinyl chloride – PVC – material), medicines and dyes. OSPA Oxygenated Solvent Producers Association, a sector group of the Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe (APPE). For more information, click here. Oxidation A chemical reaction with oxygen. Pp Paraxylene One of the forms of xylene, paraxylene is used to make polyesters, which have applications in clothing, packaging and plastic bottles. The most widely-used polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), used in lightweight, recyclable soft drinks bottles, as fibres in clothing, as a filling for anoraks and duvets, in car tyre cords and conveyor belts. It can also be made into a film that is used in video and audiotapes and x-ray films. PES See Unsaturated polyester resins. PET See Polyethylene Terephthalate. Petrochemical An organic compound that has been derived from petroleum or natural gas. There are almost 200 chemicals that can be so described and they include many simple hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, ethane), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene), naphthenes and several of their derivatives. Petroleum A generic term applied to oil and oil products in all forms, such as crude oil, unfinished oils, petroleum products, natural gas plant liquids, and non-hydrocarbon compounds blended into finished petroleum products. See Crude oil. Phenol Phenol is an aromatic alcohol mainly used as an intermediate in organic synthesis. It essentially serves as a raw material for the production of bisphenol A, phenolic resins, alkylphenols and caprolactam. Phenolic resin Phenolic resins are manufactured from phenol. They are used in wood products and moulding powders applications, and also have a wide range of applications on the electrical, mechanical and decorative markets, in the automotive industry, in building and construction, in thermal insulation products and in foundry industry products. Pipeline Line of pipe equipped with pumps and valves and other control devices for moving liquids and gases. It is one of the main modes of transport for many chemicals. Plastic Any of numerous synthetic materials that consist of giant molecules called polymers, with extremely long chains of repeating units derived from short molecules. Plastics can be formed into products by moulding or otherwise shaping. The two major divisions of plastics are the thermosetting resins and thermoplastic resins. Raw materials for plastics include coal and cellulose, but by far the chief source is petroleum. Because of their easy manipulation, economical manufacture, low specific gravity, and resistance to corrosion, plastics have replaced metal, wood, glass, and other materials in many applications. An immense array of plastic industrial and consumer goods is available. For more information, click here. Plasticiser A plasticiser is a substance which when added to a material, usually a plastic, makes it flexible, resilient and easier to handle. Modern plasticisers are manmade organic chemicals; the majority of which are esters, such as adipates and phthalates. They are major components that determine the physical properties of polymer products. There are more than 300 different types of plasticisers. Polycarbonate resins Polycarbonate resins, derived from bisphenol A, are used for structural parts, impact resistant glazing, street-light bulbs, household appliance parts, components of electrical/electronic devices, automotive applications, reusable bottles, and food and drink containers. It is also a building block used to make epoxy resins for coatings, electrical laminants, composites and adhesives. Polyester Any of a group of polymers that consist basically of repeated units of an ester and are used especially in making fibres or plastics. Polyesters can be made into woven and knitted fabrics, either alone or blended with other fibres; they also have industrial applications such as ropes, filters, conveyor belts, and tyre cords. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Polyethylene terephthalate is derived from xylene and is one of the most widely used industrial polyesters. It is used in lightweight, recyclable soft drink bottles, as fibres in clothing, as a filling for anoraks and duvets, in car tyre cords and conveyor belts. It can also be made into a film that is used in video and audio tapes and x-ray films. Polymer When certain individual molecules (monomers) come together and link up in a chain-like fashion they form a polymer. The chemical reaction that forms a polymer is called polymerisation. There are natural polymers (often referred to as biopolymers), such as cellulose, certain rubbers and DNA, and synthetic polymers, such as polystyrene and fibreglass (see uPES). See also Plastics, Resins and Rubber. Polystyrene A solid plastic made from polymerised styrene and used in a wide variety of everyday applications, from coffee cups through to CD jewel boxes. Polyurethane A synthetic compound derived from foluene, belonging to the family of organic polymers. Polyurethanes are used to make the foam in furniture, mattresses, car seats, building insulation, coatings for floors and furniture and refrigerators. They are also used in artificial sports tracks, jogging shoes, and in roller blade wheels. Preparation A preparation is a mixture or a solution composed of two or more substances. This term is used in the European legislation. Product Stewardship Product Stewardship is the responsible and ethical management of the health, safety and environmental aspects of a product throughout its total life cycle. Product Stewardship is Responsible Care applied to products. More... Pygas Pygas, or pyrolysis gasoline, is a naphtha-range product with a high aromatic content, used either for gasoline blending or as a feedstock for a BTX extraction unit. Pygas is produced in an ethylene plant that processes butane, naphtha or gasoil. Pyrolisis gasoline See Pygas. Back to Home Page |