6.2 Flashcards
what are the 3 main processes of converting crude oil to fuels
fractional distillation
cracking
reforming
whats the order of the fractions of crude oil
gas
petrol
naptha
kerosene
disel
fuel oil
bitchumen
what is fractional distillation
the process used to separate a liquid mixture into fractions by boiling and condensing
what is cracking
the breakdown of molecules into shorter ones by heating with a catalyst
define reforming
the conversion of straight chain hydrocarbons into branched chain and cyclic hydrocarbons
why do some hydrocarbons need reformed
straight chain hydrocarbons burn less efficiently then branched
how is reforming done
heating with a catalyst e.g. platinum
what is complete combustion & what are the products
all of the atoms in the fuel are fully oxidized produces water & CO2
what is incomplete combustion & when can it occur
some of the atoms in the fuel are not fully oxidized
occurs when there’s insufficient oxygen present or when combustion is very rapid
what can be formed in incomplete combustion
carbon monoxide
solid carbon
how is carbon monoxide deadly
binds to hemoglobin
prevents transport of oxygen
colourless & odorless gas
how does the release of sulfur during combustion of alkanes contribute to acid rain
react in atmosphere to form sulfur trioxide
dissolve in water in the atmosphere
fall as acid rain damaging the environment
how does nitrogen form acid rain during combustion
nitrogen molecules in the air react with the oxygen molecules to produce nitrogen oxides which dissolve in the atmosphere to produce acid rain
what metals are used in catalytic converters
platinum
rhodium
palladium
why are the metals spread thinly over a honeycomb mesh in catalytic converters
to increase surface area and reduce cost
which harmful molecule produced in combustion is not stopped by the catalytic converter
sulfur compounds
they must be removed from the fuel
why do we need alternative fuels
pollution
depletion of natural resources
global warming & climate change
define biofuel
fuels obtained from living matter that has died recently
define renewable
energy sources use sources that can be continuously replaced
define non-renewable
energy sources are not being replenished except over geological timescales
what is biodiesel
fuel made from vegetable oils obtained from plants
what is bioalcohol
fuels made from plant matter often using enzymes or bacteria
compare biofuels & natural gases
biofuel:
land required to grow crops
low yield
transportation costs
almost carbon neutral
natural gas:
no land required
underground source
high yield
drilling, transport & processing costs
not carbon neutral