- Description
- Students investigate the conversion of hydrocarbons into consumer products within a petrochemical industry.
- Prerequisite
- PRS2060: Refining Hydrocarbons
- Parameters
- Access to a petrochemical industry. Access to a science laboratory.
Outcomes The student will:
1 explain how petroleum molecules are sorted, broken apart and reassembled at petrochemical plants
1.1 describe and model petroleum molecules as strings and rings of carbon and hydrogen atoms; e.g., methane, paraffin
1.2 describe basic fractionating processes used to sort petroleum molecules
1.3 explain how petroleum molecules are broken apart, reassembled and blended through the processes of cracking, polymerization and isomerization
1.4 address the role of temperature, pressure and catalysts in sorting and rearranging petroleum molecules
2 describe technologies used to manufacture a petrochemical product
2.1 identify specific hydrocarbon feedstocks used in the manufacturing process
2.2 describe techniques employed to sort, break apart, reassemble and/or blend petroleum molecules
2.3 research the conversion of a hydrocarbon into a petrochemical product within one of Canada’s petrochemical industries (such as plastic, polyethylene, detergent or fertilizer); e.g., fractionating, cracking, polymerization, isomerization
2.4 explain applications of electronic equipment and computer technology in monitoring and controlling manufacturing operations
2.5 describe storage facilities and distribution systems within the industry and their impacts on industry location and product costs
2.6 describe and illustrate the path of a hydrocarbon from recovery site to finished product
2.7 explain environmental assessment and management practices conducted by industry throughout manufacturing operations; e.g., environmental standards and the enforcement of safe operating procedures throughout the manufacturing operations
2.8 describe industry initiatives that respond to environmental concerns, that address occupational health and safety requirements, and in re-refining and reprocessing to ensure a life cycle approach to chemicals management; e.g., waste treatment, emission control, odour scrubbers, noise suppressants, water purification
3 identify consumer and industrial products made available through petrochemical processes
3.1 identify and describe important petroleum feedstocks used in the petrochemical industry; e.g., crude oil, natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, naphtha gas oil
3.2 identify the primary groups of petrochemicals obtained from petroleum feedstocks and subsequently processed into intermediate and finished products; e.g., methanol, benzene, toluene and xylene, butadiene and butylene, propylene, ethylene
3.3 identify and describe intermediate and finished products that are derived from petrochemicals; e.g., plastics, synthetic clothing fibres, medicines, paints, detergents, fertilizers and pesticides
3.4 identify and describe major industries that consume Canada’s petrochemical products; e.g., forestry, transportation, textiles, electronics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture
3.5 describe the social, economic and environmental significance of Canada’s petrochemical industries
4 demonstrate basic competencies
4.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
4.1.1 communicate
4.1.2 manage information
4.1.3 use numbers
4.1.4 think and solve problems
4.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
4.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
4.2.2 be responsible
4.2.3 be adaptable
4.2.4 learn continuously
4.2.5 work safely
4.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
4.3.1 work with others
4.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
5 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
5.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
5.2 identify steps to achieve goals
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.