Mineral oil & mineral oil products

Mineral oil products are liquid distillation products made from mineral raw materials such as crude oil and coal. They include fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel as well as highly refined medical white oils used in medicine and cosmetics.

Definition
Mineral oil products are special products obtained by distilling mineral raw materials. They are made up of various hydrocarbons and have a wide range of applications due to their chemical composition.

Background / Origin
Mineral oils are mainly derived from the distillation of crude oil and coal. They consist of saturated chain and ring-shaped hydrocarbons as well as aromatic compounds. These raw materials have been increasingly used since industrialization, which has led to the widespread use of mineral oils in various sectors.

One important product group is medical white oils, which are characterized by particularly careful refining. They mainly contain alkenes and cycloalkanes and are widely used in both medicine and cosmetics. The term "mineral oil" in English refers specifically to these highly refined forms.

The residue from rectification, i.e. what remains after distillation, is asphalt. This can either be used to produce chemicals such as ethylene (e.g. by cracking) or as a road surface.

Properties
Mineral oils are made up of a variety of chemical compounds, including
- Saturated chain and ring hydrocarbons
- Aromatic hydrocarbons with double bonds
- Alkenes (olefins)
- Small amounts of sulphur and nitrogen-containing and organic compounds

Physically, mineral oils are characterized by their liquid nature. There are various quality standards that apply to the different products. The specific properties can vary greatly depending on the refining and intended use.

Application and importance in the market
Mineral oil products are primarily used as fossil fuels. The best known include petrol, diesel, jet fuel, bunker oil and heating oil. These products are integral components of transportation, energy generation and industry.

In addition, highly refined medical white oils are used in medicine and cosmetics. This specific refining means that they are so pure that they consist almost exclusively of saturated hydrocarbons, which justifies their use in sensitive areas.

Differentiation from similar terms
Mineral oils differ from synthetic oils, which are produced artificially. While mineral oils are mainly derived from natural raw materials, synthetic oils are based on chemical processes. In addition, medical white oils are a sub-category of mineral oils and are characterized by a particularly high degree of purity.

Summary
Mineral oil products play a central role as fossil fuels and are widely used in industry, transportation and various other sectors. Their chemical composition comprises various hydrocarbons. Among the mineral oil products, medical white oils should also be emphasized, which meet special requirements due to their purity and are used in medicine and cosmetics. The quality of the products is ensured by strict standards and regulations in Germany.