ABSTRACT
Synthetic Rubber includes characteristics of major elastomers, petrochemical operations underlying the supply of monomers, the nature of SR production processes, and costs of production. All monomers used in producing SRs, together with a range of other important hydrocarbons, are derived from crude oil. Oil refineries are largely situated in or near industrial centres, and oil is transported to them from production fields by pipeline and tanker. Most carbon black is made by the furnace process, comprising the incomplete combustion of heavy aromatic residue oils. Here the oil feedstock enters the furnace as a spray, being atomized and accompanied by auxiliary gas to raise the temperature. The production line in plants making both emulsion SBR and other SR is conventionally divided into the 5 successive stages of tank farm, pigment preparation, reactor, recovery, and finishing. Thus rubber prices, plant capacity, input prices and technology may all be recognized as key economic factors at work in producing both synthetic and natural elastomers.
