Crude Oil Flashcards

1
Q

What is crude oil mainly made up of?

A

Hydrocarbons.

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2
Q

What is a hydrocarbon?

A

A molecule made up of just carbon and hydrogen.

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3
Q

How is crude oil separated out into its different fractions?

A

Fractional distillation.

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4
Q

If a molecule is short, how viscous is it?

A

Less viscous.

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5
Q

If a molecule is short, how volatile is it?

A

More volatile.

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6
Q

If a molecule is short, how high is its boiling temperature?

A

Low.

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7
Q

If a molecule is short, how flammable is it?

A

Very.

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8
Q

What is an alkane?

A

A saturated hydrocarbon.

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9
Q

What are the first four alkanes?

A

Methane, ethane, propane and butane.

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10
Q

Why do crude oil fractions make good fuels?

A

They burn cleanly.

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11
Q

Apart from fuels, what is crude oil also used for?

A

Various chemicals, like plastics.

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12
Q

Why are crude oil fractions the easiest thing to use?

A
  1. Things are set up for it e.g petrol engines

2. Reliable

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13
Q

How are new oil reserves being found?

A

New technology means we can now extract oil that was once too difficult or expensive.

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14
Q

Why are oil spills bad for the local environment?

A

Wildlife is poisoned.

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15
Q

What is the equation for fuel combustion?

A

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen –> Carbon dioxide + Water vapour (+ energy)

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16
Q

What is partial combustion?

A

Not all the fuel is burned because there isn’t enough oxygen.

17
Q

What is the result of partial combustion?

A
  1. Soot (carbon) and unburnt fuel released

2. Carbon monoxide released

18
Q

What causes acid rain?

A

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

19
Q

How does sulfur dioxide cause acid rain?

A

It mixes with clouds to form dilute sulfuric acid, which is acid rain.

20
Q

What are the problems caused by acid rain?

A
  1. Lakes become acid, so wildlife dies

2. Damages limestone buildings and statues

21
Q

How can acid rain be reduced?

A
  1. Most sulfur can be removed before burning
  2. Acid Gas Scrubbers take harmful gases out before they’re released into the atmosphere
  3. Reduce usage of fossil fuels
22
Q

Why isn’t all sulfur removed before burning?

A
  1. Expensive

2. Takes energy (more emissions)

23
Q

What could global warming cause?

A

Severe flooding due to polar ice caps melting.

24
Q

What is global dimming?

A

Less sunlight is reaching Earth because soot particles in the atmosphere are reflecting sunlight.

25
Q

What is global dimming caused by?

A

Fossil fuel burning.

26
Q

What do some scientists think about global dimming?

A

It’s based on inaccurate recording equipment.

27
Q

Name two biofuels.

A
  1. Ethanol

2. Biodiesel

28
Q

What are the advantages of ethanol?

A
  1. Carbon neutral

2. Renewable

29
Q

What are the disadvantages of ethanol?

A
  1. Need new engines
  2. Not widely available
  3. Increase food prices
30
Q

What are the advantages of biodiesel?

A
  1. Carbon neutral
  2. Engines don’t need converting
  3. Produces less sulfur dioxide and particulates
31
Q

What are the disadvantages of biodiesel?

A
  1. Can’t make enough
  2. Expensive
  3. Increase food prices
32
Q

What are the advantages of hydrogen gas fuel?

A

Just makes water - very clean

33
Q

What are the disadvantages of hydrogen gas fuel?

A
  1. Need expensive engine
  2. Not widely available
  3. Need energy from another source
  4. Hard to store - explosive