Crude Oil Flashcards
What do we use to separate crude oil into fractions?
Fractional distillation. Carried out in an oil refinery.
What happens to crude oil before entering the fractionating column?
Heated until it boils and vaporises.
What decided how far up the column a hydrocarbon goes?
Its boiling point.
What has the lowest boiling points and therefore gets further up the column before it condenses?
Smaller molecules.
What is bitumen used for?
Road making.
What happens in incomplete combustions of hydrocarbons?
This leads to the formation of carbon (soot) or carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide
Name 3 descriptors of carbon monoxide:
It’s colourless, odourless and very poisonous.
Why is carbon monoxide poisonous?
It binds to the haemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing it from carrying oxygen. This can make someone very ill or even die.
What 4 substances are refinery gases made of?
-Methane
-Ethane
-Propane
-Butane
What are refinery gases used for?
Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic heating and cooking.
What is gasoline used for?
Fuel for cars.
What is kerosene used for?
Fuel for aircrafts and also domestic heating oil.
What is diesel used for?
Fuel for buses, lorries and some trains.
What useful organic chemical can diesel be converted to in the process of cracking?
Petrol.
What is fuel oil used for?
Fuel for ships and industrial heating.
