Crude Oil Flashcards
(15 cards)
What type of mixture is crude oil?
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons
What is the main method used to separate crude oil into useful fractions?
Fractional distillation.
How does fractional distillation separate crude oil?
It separates the hydrocarbons based on their boiling points; longer chains have higher boiling points and condense higher up the column.
What are fractions from crude oil used for?
They are used as fuels
What are the properties of short-chain hydrocarbons?
They are more flammable, have lower boiling points, are less viscous, and burn with cleaner flames.
What are the properties of long-chain hydrocarbons?
They are less flammable, have higher boiling points, are more viscous, and burn with smokier flames.
What is cracking and why is it important?
Cracking is the process of breaking long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful ones like alkenes and fuels. It helps meet demand for fuels like petrol.
What are the two types of cracking?
Catalytic cracking (using heat and a catalyst) and steam cracking (using high temperature and steam).
What is Catalytic Cracking?
(using heat and a catalyst)
What is steam cracking
(using high temperature and steam).
What is the general formula for alkanes and how are they related to crude oil?
Alkanes have the formula CnH2n+2. They are saturated hydrocarbons and make up most of the fractions obtained from crude oil.
What is the lowest fuel in fractional distillation?
Bitumen
What is Bitumen used for?
Road construction
What is the highest fuel in fractional distillation?
Refinery Gas
What is Refinery Gas used for?
Heating and Cooking
