Chemicals obtained from crude petroleum and natural gas are known as petrochemicals. They are
formed either during the refining of crude petroleum or after treatment of petroleum products with
other chemicals. About 16% of total crude production is used for synthesis of fertilizers, pesticides,
plastics, solvents, adhesives and pharmaceuticals. A single barrel of crude oil can produce 42% gasoline,
22% diesel, 9% jet fuel, 5% fuel oil, 4% liquefied petroleum gases and 18% other products. More than
6000 items used in daily life are someway linked with petroleum or petrochemicals. A partial list include
ballpoint pens, bicycle tires, curtains, deodorants, detergents, dyes, glycerin, helmet, lipstick, nail paint,
refrigerants, shoe polish, tennis rackets, umbrellas, vitamin capsules, wax, etc. This fourth volume of the
series is principally concerned with petrochemicals derived from crude petroleum. Initial chapters
discuss development and valuation of petrochemical technical knowledge in the Middle East countries
and basic insight in production of petrochemical. Next chapters cover performance of dividing wall
columns in separation of light hydrocarbons; removal of p-nitrophenol from petrochemical wastewater;
natural ageing of polyolefins; anti-wear additives in diesel fuels and theory and practices in hydrocarbon
production and optimization. Chapters on biofuel/ biodiesel/ bioethanol and biosurfactants have been
also included. The last article highlights the use of waste and low cost materials in manufacture of
asphalt binder used for paving applications. The 19 articles of this volume have come through 43 senior
academicians, researchers and experienced industry professionals from different parts of the world. The
publishers do hope that this scholarly series will prove to be a valuable resource to students,
researchers, academicians and industry professionals involved in this vast field.