The 21st century is the era of high-tech industries with remarkable achievements. Over time, industrial chemicals have undergone significant changes in their characteristics and useful properties to adapt to the needs of modern humans. However, all the chemicals listed below, regardless of the changing times, are produced in quantities exceeding 100 million tons. This demonstrates that these chemicals are widely used and have a powerful impact on the lives of many people. Let’s explore these chemicals with Cường Thịnh Chemical Company.
1. Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
It’s no surprise that sulfuric acid is at the top of the list of chemicals produced in large quantities worldwide. It is primarily used in fertilizer production, such as ammonium sulfate and superphosphate. Additionally, this acid is used in the production of detergents, car batteries, and various other chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, dyes, explosives, colorants, and pharmaceuticals. Sulfuric acid is considered a reactive agent in the production and processing of certain goods. Here are some of its functions:
- Used to remove impurities in oil refining
- Removes metal oxides before electroplating and metal plating
- Removes water in certain chemical reactions
- Acts as a reactive agent in the production of rayon and nitroglycerin.
2. Nitrogen (N2)
Nitrogen is an inert gas often used as a permeating gas. This means it protects materials from chemical reactions with oxygen when exposed to air. The primary use of nitrogen is to rapidly freeze substances for processing, steel and metal production, and cooling concrete to enhance building materials.
Additionally, nitrogen is used to cool chemical reactors, helping chemical engineers better control side reactions. It is also used in important industries like food production and healthcare.
3. Ethylene (C2H4)
Ethylene is one of the main raw materials for the chemical industry, particularly in the plastics sector. You might be surprised at its versatility, but it’s true. Ethylene is effectively used in many applications:
- Producing ethylene glycol (antifreeze), styrene (used to make polystyrene for packaging and insulation), and polyethylene. In fact, about 50% of ethylene produced is used to make various types of polyethylene.
- Industrial fermentation to produce ethanol
- Producing polyester and synthetic rubber.
4. Oxygen (O2)
Here are some important roles of oxygen (O2):
- This industrial chemical is used in oxy-acetylene and oxy-hydrogen torches.
- Used in steel production to burn impurities in molten ore. Approximately one ton of oxygen is required for every ton of steel produced.
- Liquid oxygen is used as an oxidizing agent in rockets and space shuttles. Each oxygen tank contains about 550,000 liters of liquid oxygen to launch the space shuttle.
- Oxygen breaks down hydrocarbons (compounds made of carbon and hydrogen) into smaller hydrocarbon products. For example: ethylene, propylene, and acetylene, which are used to make plastics, paints, and other products.
5. Propylene (C3H6)
Propylene (C3H6) is an intermediate chemical used in the production of other chemical compounds. Specifically, it is applied in:
- Manufacturing polyethylene needed to produce synthetic fibers for indoor and outdoor carpets.
- Producing propylene glycols for automotive brake fluids, cleaners, and paints.
- Producing polyurethane for hard foam insulation.
- Producing ABS plastic used in phone and automotive parts.
6. Chlorine (Cl2)
Chlorine (Cl2) has many useful applications in life, including in the production of consumer and industrial products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides. It is also used to produce certain synthetic fabrics like rayon and nylon. This chemical is also used as a cleaner for glass surfaces.
7. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an essential chemical in many industries. It is used in various fields such as petroleum, food, paper production, biodiesel, soap making, and cleaning agents. Specific applications include:
- In the petroleum industry, sodium hydroxide is used to increase the pH of drilling mud.
- It is used to remove sulfur impurities from low-grade crude oil.
- The paper industry uses it in the process of bleaching wood fibers.
- Sodium hydroxide is used in soap production.
- It is used in biodiesel production.
- This chemical is also used as an industrial cleaner, particularly for degreasing equipment.
Conclusion
With the information provided in this article, we hope that customers can gain a better understanding of the most widely produced industrial chemicals and their characteristics and applications. This knowledge will help you choose the right chemicals to suit your needs. If you have any further questions about industrial chemical products, please contact Lab Cường Thịnh at the hotline: 0946.632.668 or 0982.406.496 for 24/7 advice and support.
