PETROLEUM

The creation of petroleum

Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decomposed and built up in thick layers.  This decomposed matter from plants and animals is called organic material (it was once alive).  Over time, the mud and soil changed to rock, covered the organic material and captured it below the rock.  Pressure and heat changed some of this organic material into coal, some into oil (petroleum), and some into natural gas (tiny bubbles of odorless gas).  The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas (or compound) composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. 

Petroleum

After crude oil is removed from the ground, usually it is sent to a refinery by pipeline or ship. Different parts of the crude oil are separated into useable petroleum products at the refinery. Crude oil is measured in barrels. A gallon barrel of crude oil provides a little bit more than 44 gallons of petroleum products.

When it refined, one barrel of crude oil produces about 19.9 gallons of finished motor gasoline, as well as other petroleum products.

Most of the petroleum products are used for energy production. Other products, made from petroleum  are: ink, crayons, bubble gum, dishwashing liquids, deodorant, eyeglasses, records, tires, etc.

• Effects

When petroleum products are burnt as fuel, they give off carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is linked with global warming.

The use of petroleum products also gives off pollutants - carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons - that help form air pollution.

Because of a lot of air pollution comes from cars and trucks, many environmental laws have been aimed at changing the make-up of gasoline and diesel fuel so that they produce fewer emissions.

If you need more information, click in the next link:

https://www.energykids.eu/conventional-oil