Crude Oil Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is meant by the term crude oil?
It is a mixture of hydrocarbons
Describe the process of fractional distillation:
-Crude oil is entered into the distillation chamber
- The column is hot at the bottom and cool at the top
- The gases condense when they reach their respective boiling point
- The size and length of the hydrocarbon molecules determines which fraction it will be separated into
What are the 6 main fractions that come out of fractional distillation? (Highest boiling point to lowest)
-Bitumen
-Fuel oil
-Diesel
-Kerosene
-Gasoline
-Refinery gases
What are the uses of the main fractions?
Bitumen- Paving roads
Fuel oil- Fuel for ships
Diesel- Fuel for trucks
Kerosene- Fuel for airplanes
Gasoline- Fuel for cars
Refinery gases- Bottled gas, used for cooking
What is the trend of boiling point in fractional distillation?
The bottom of the distillation chamber has the highest boiling point, the top has the lowest boiling point
What is the trend of colour in fractional distillation?
The bottom is very dark, The middle could be yellowish-brown, The top is clear and significantly less dark than the bottom
What is the trend of viscosity in fractional distillation?
The bottom is very thick and very viscous, it gets less thick and therefore less viscous as you go up the boiling points in the chamber
What is meant by the term viscosity?
The ease of flow of a liquid
The more carbon atoms the more viscous it gets
What is meant by the term saturated?
Organic compound that does not contain a double bond (All single bond)
What is meant by the term unsaturated?
An organic compound that has a carbon double bond
What is meant by the term volatility?
The tendency of a substance to vaporize
Increasing molecular size hydrocarbon liquids become less volatile
What are the boiling points of the 6 main fractions:
Refinery gas: Below 25 (All in celcius)
Gasoline: 40-100
Kerosene: 150-240
Diesel: 220-300
Fuel oil: 250-320
Bitumen: More than 350
What is meant by the term fuel?
A substance that, when burned, releases heat energy (Exothermic)
What is complete combustion?
Combustion where there is excess oxygen
What is the general word equation for complete combustion
Hydrocarbon + Excess oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water
What is incomplete combustion?
Combustion where there is an insufficient amount of oxygen
What is the general word equation for incomplete combustion
Hydrocarbon + Insufficient Oxygen = Carbon Monoxide + Water + (Sometimes soot which is unburnt fuel- basically carbon)
Why is carbon monoxide poisonous?
It reduces the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide carried in the blood, leading to dizziness and eventually death.
