Organic chemistry Flashcards
(6 cards)
What is petroleum?
Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons
Describe the process of the separation of petroleum
Petroleum is separated into fractions using fractional distillation. The petroleum/crude oil is heated in a furnace, causing the oil to vapourise and pass up the fractionating column. As the hot vapour rises up the fractionating column, it starts to cool and condense.
The heavier fractions have stronger intermolecular FOA between the molecules, thus they have higher boiling points and condense near the bottom of the fractionating column where temperatures are higher. The lighter fractions have weaker intermolecular FOA between the molecules, thus they have lower boiling points and will condense nearer to the top of the fractionating column
What are the uses of the different fractions of petroleum?
Petroleum gas - petroleum gas is used as a fuel for cooking and heating
Petrol - used for fuel in car engines
Naphtha - used as feedstock for petrochemical industry
Kerosene - used for fuel for aircraft, for cooking using oil stoves or for heating
Diesel oil - used for fuel for diesel engines
Lubricating oil - sed for lubricating machines, makes waxes and polishes
Bitumen - used for paving road surfaces
What are the issues related to the use of petroleum?
Petroleum is a non-renewable resource and the reserves of petroleum are finite.
The burning of petroleum also leads to pollution and global warming
How can we conserve petroleum?
- Use alternative sources of energy such as solar energy or nuclear energy
- Take public transport more often, reduce number of cars travelling on roads, drive smaller cars that use less petrol
- Power stations can be designed to use petrol more efficiently.
What are some alternative sources of fuel?
Biogas - when organic matter is allowed to decay in the absence of air, contains 50% methane
Palm oil - from plants
Alcohol can be made from sugarcane mixed with petrol to run vehicle engines
