IOP Post-Lecture Quiz

Which of the following is the process of creating plastics from petrochemicals?

• Distillation

• Polymerisation

• Cracking

• Dehydrogenation

Which of the following olefin is used to manufacture car tyres?

• ethylene

• propylene

• isoprene

• butadiene

Answer explanation

Butadiene, also known as 1,3-butadiene, is used in the production of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) principally for the manufacture of tyres.

Which of the following olefin is used to manufacture PET and HDPE plastic products?

• ethylene

• propylene

• isoprene

• butadiene

Answer explanation

PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate - beverage bottles, cups and other packaging

HDPE - High-Density Polyethylene - bottles, cups and milk jugs

LDPE - low-density polyethylene - plastic bags, tubing

Polypropylene (PP) is most commonly used for plastic moldings, wherein it is injected into a mold while molten, forming complex shapes. Some examples include bottle tops, bottles, and fittings. What other reasons make it in demand?

• low cost

• high volume, readily available

• recyclable

• all of the answers are correct

Answer explanation

Why Polypropylene ?

- is readily available and relatively inexpensive.

- has high flexural strength due to its semi-crystalline nature

- has a relatively slippery surface

- is very resistant to absorbing moisture.

- considered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a safer choice than some other types of plastics

- It's not known to cause cancer in humans

- it's less flammable in fabrics than wool.

- recyclable

- it is more quickly biodegradable

Styrene undergoes polymerisation to form polystyrene which further processed to form containers and disposable eating utensils. Which of the two base chemicals are combined to form styrene?

• benzene

• butadiene

• ethylene

• xylene

Answer explanation

Styrene is obtained by reacting ethylene with benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride.

Refer to lecture note page 6.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is commonly used for plumbing pipes also known as PVC pipe. Which of the following best representing the monomer of PVC polymerization process ?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

At a first stage in the PVC production process, ethylene and chlorine are combined to produce an intermediate, vinyl chloride, the basic building block of polyvinyl chloride or PVC.

Refer to diagram.

Benzene is widely used across many industrial sectors, where it is combined and processed with other basic chemicals (such as ethylene or propylene) to produce countless consumer goods: clothing, packaging, paints, adhesives, plywood, computer casings, compact discs, dyes, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and many more.

It can be extracted from steam cracking and catalytic reforming of naphtha. Name another source which allowing us to obtain more benzene?

• Trans-alkylation of toluene

• Trans-alkylation of benzene

• Trans-alkylation of xylene

• Trans-alkylation of naptha

Answer explanation

Steam cracking and catalytic reforming of naphtha forms BTX, which is further sent to BTX complex to break into individual component, Benzene, Toluene and Xylene.

However, if toluene is overproduced, it can be converted to benzene and xylene which are underproduced the process known as Trans-alkylation. (refer to diagram)

There are three different forms of xylene which has its individual uses. What are the forms of xylene?

• para-xylene

• ortho-xylene

• meta-xylene

• beta-xylene

Answer explanation

Para-xylene is primarily used as a feedstock for terephthalic acid, a key component in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins.

Ortho-xylene is used in plasticisers, medicines, and dyes.

The major use of meta-xylene is in the production of isophthalic acid, which is used as a copolymerizing monomer to alter the properties of polyethylene terephthalate.

What is cumene?

• powder for making soups and curries

• scientific name for cucumber

• petrochemical intermediates made from benzene

• petrochemical intermediates made from xylene

Answer explanation

Benzene is also widely used to produce cumene, which in turn leads to phenol, a component in phenolic resins and adhesives.

Beside aromatic and olefins, petrochemical plant might also produce syngas and sulfur for many other applications.

Name two main applications of syngas.

• production of methanol

• production of ammonia

• production of toluene

• production of ethylene

Answer explanation

Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

They are used as ingredients to produce methanol (for instance Brunei Methanol Company, BMC) and ammonia (Brunei Fertiliser Industry, BFI).