4(b) Crude oil Flashcards
crude oil?
as a mixture, it isn’t a very useful substance
fractions?
different hydrocarbons: each consists of groups of hydrocarbons of similar length
fractional distillation?
molecules in each fraction have similar properties and boiling points so they can be separated in a fractional column.
what does the boiling and melting point of each fraction depend on?
the number of carbon atoms in the chain
size + length determines which fraction it will be separated into
most fractions contain many alkanes –> compounds C with a single bond
fractional column temperature gradient?
very hot (bottom) and cool (top)
how does a fractioning column work?
crude oil enters the column
- crude oil heated so it will rise
what happens to the hydrocarbons that have a low boiling point, in a fractional column?
- vapors of hydrocarbons with very high boiling points will immediately condense into liquid at the higher temps lower down tapped off at the bottom of the column
what happens to the hydrocarbons that have a high boiling point, in a fractional column?
vapours of hydrocarbons with low boiling points will rise
where are smaller and bigger hydrocarbons collected?
- smaller is at the top (some as gases)
- bigger at the lower sections
main properties of the main fractions of crude oil? (how to know the difference)
- viscosity
- colour
- melting/ boiling point
- volatility
viscosity?
ease of liquid flow (large viscosity - thick and flows less easily)
factors that affect the viscosity of crude oil?
- if no of carbon atoms is high, the attraction between the hydrocarbon molecules also increases
- results in the liquid becoming more viscous with increasing length of chain (flow less easy)
factors that affect the colour of crude oil?
as C chain length increases the color of the liquid gets darker as it gets thicker and more viscous
factors that affect the melting/boling point of crude oil?
as molecules get larger, intermolecular attractions become greater:
- more heat needed to separate the molecules
- increase molecular size. greater boiling point.
volatility?
tendency of a substance to vaporise
factors affecting volatility?
increase molecular size, hydrocarbon liquids become less volatile, due to the attraction between the molecules increasing with increasing molecular size
what are the different fractions?
refinery gases (1-4), gasoline (4-12), kerosene (12-16), diesel (14-18), fuel oil (19-25) and bitumen (more than 70)
uses of refinery gases?
domestic heating and cooking
uses of gasoline?
fuel for cars
uses of kerosene?
jet fuel
diesel uses?
diesel engines