3.3.2.1 Fractional distillation of crude oil plus general alkanes

Question 1

What are alkanes?

Answer 1

They are saturated hydrocarbons?

Question 2

What is petroleum?

Answer 2

A mixture consisting mainly of alkane hydrocarbons that can be separated by fractional distillation

Question 3

What is the formula for alkanes?

Answer 3

C H

n 2n+2

Question 4

What is reforming?

Answer 4

Converting straight chain molecules into branched chains, cyclic and aromatic compounds

Question 5

What are the properties of alkanes?

Answer 5

Free rotation around a carbon-carbon single bond
Flexible
Strong bonds
Very unreactive
Not able to form polymers
Burn cleanly to form complete combustion
Chain length increases as: boiling point increases, viscosity increases, volatility decreases
Completely saturated

Question 6

What is the process of fractional distillation?

Answer 6

Crude oil is vaporised and rises up a fractionating tower
The vapour cools as it rises and molecules condense as they reach their different cooling temperatures
Molecules with different boiling points are tapped off together as fractions
After fractionation, the fractions can be processed to make them more useful

Question 7

What are the products of the fractional distillation of crude oil?

Answer 7

Gases
Gasoline / petrol
Kerosene / paraffin
Diesel oil
Lubricating oil and waxes
Fuel oil
Tar / bitumen