Jet airplanes and some types of helicopters use kerosene, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Photo courtesy of Lokantha at English Wikipedia. Power generation: Though petroleum is largely used in transportation, it is also used in electricity generation. A fossil fuel power station uses petroleum or natural gas to produce electricity. Power generation from oil still accounts for a significant share in energy mix of many countries, even though coal is the dominant source for electricity generation.
However, oil-fired power plants cause significant environmental pollution. Oil-fired power plants also consume huge amounts of water. According to the Joint Organizations Data Initiative JODI , Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that use crude oil directly for power generation, due to lack of domestic coal production. Lubricants: Derived from petroleum, lubricants are used in many types of machines in almost all the industries. Lubricants are used in all kinds of vehicles and industrial machines to reduce friction.
Besides, they are used in cooking, bioapplications on humans, ultrasound examination, and medical examinations. Using Oil as a Transportation Fuel Most Canadian oil is used for transportation fuels, essential to the mobility of people, goods, and services.
The Petroleum Value Chain. Plastics are made from oil Crude oils are sent to refineries where they become feedstock. Electronics Due to insulating and heat resistant properties, plastics and other petroleum-based products are used in electronic components. Textiles Clothing is commonly made from petroleum-based fibers including acrylic, rayon, vegan leather, polyester, nylon and spandex. Sporting Goods Many common sports equipment contains some petroleum including basketballs, golf balls and bags, football helmets, surfboards, skis, tennis rackets and fishing rods.
Medical Supplies Modern health care relies on petroleum products that have few substitutes. Household Products Our homes are full of products that used petroleum in their production. Made from Oil and natural Gas. Looking for more?
Getting Oil to Refineries. Petroleum products are fuels made from crude oil and other hydrocarbons contained in natural gas. Petroleum products can also be made from coal, natural gas, and biomass. After crude oil is removed from the ground, it is sent to a refinery where different parts of the crude oil are separated into useable petroleum products. These petroleum products include gasoline, distillates such as diesel fuel and heating oil, jet fuel, petrochemical feedstocks, waxes, lubricating oils, and asphalt.
S gallon barrel of crude oil yields about 45 gallons of petroleum products in U. This increase in volume is similar to what happens to popcorn when it is popped.
What Is Petroleum Used For? Is Petroleum Toxic to Humans? Is Petroleum Renewable? What Are Alternatives to Petroleum? The Bottom Line. Petroleum is used as fuel to power vehicles, heating units, and machines, and can be converted into plastics and other materials. The extraction and processing of petroleum, and thus, its availability, is a major driver of the world's economy and global politics. Petroleum is a finite product that was created over millions of years.
Once it is used up there will be no way to replace it. Due to the harmful effects and limited supply of petroleum, other energy sources are becoming prominent, such as solar and wind. Cons Carbon emissions are toxic to the environment. Transportation can damage the environment. Extraction process is harmful to the environment. Article Sources. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work.
These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
Compare Accounts. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. A nonrenewable resource is a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed. Its supply is finite.
What Is Shale Oil? Shale oil is a type of oil found in shale rock formations that must be hydraulically fractured to extract. Read about the pros and cons of shale oil. Green Tech Definition Green tech is a type of technology that is considered environmentally-friendly based on its production process or supply chain.
What Is a Renewable Resource? A renewable resource is a substance of economic value that can be replaced or replenished in less time than it takes to draw the supply down. Hydrocarbon A hydrocarbon is an organic chemical compound composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
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