Composition, Classification, and Properties of Petroleum

Crude oil, referred to as petroleum, is a naturally occurring fossil fuel that was created over millions of years by the decomposition of ancient sea animals like zooplankton and algae that were buried under sediment and exposed to heat and pressure. It is a complicated blend of various organic and hydrocarbon molecules that is a significant source of energy globally. It mainly includes aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and a very small amount of S, N, O, and trace amounts of Ni and Fe. Petroleum is extracted by drilling wells and then transported to refineries to go through chemical and distillation processes. Gasoline, diesel, petrol, jet fuel, and grease are the main products of petroleum. Petroleum affects trade and geopolitics, and it is a major engine of the world economy. Petroleum is categorized and described according to a number of factors, such as its physical characteristics, chemical composition, API gravity, sulfur content, and place of origin. These elements affect how it is handled and applied in different ways. Flash, fire, pour and cloud points, carbon and hydrogen ratio, density and API gravity, viscosity, chemical composition, and boiling point of the petroleum determine the properties of petroleum. This chapter provides the complete information about the composition, classification, and properties of petroleum, which helps to enhance the characteristics of petroleum.