Energy Talbot vocabulary Flashcards
Embodied energy
the energy used during the entire life cycle of a product, including its manufacture, transportation, and disposal, as well as the inherent energy captured within the product itself
fractional distillation
This process of separating out the oil by boiling point
fractionating column
vessel in which the vapor is injected

The vapours rise up the column. As they get further from the heat source at the base of the column, the temperature falls. Gradually, each fraction condenses out of the vapour mixture. Heavy points condense first, close to the bottom of the column. As the column is ascended, successively lighter, shorter chain fractions condense. At the top of the column some very short-chain molecules are still in the vapour phase and are collected as refinery gas.
octane number
- The measure of resistance to pre-ignition
- A value used to indicate the resistance of a motor fuel to knock, based on a scale on which isooctane is 100 (minimal knock) and heptane is 0 (bad knock)
Zeolites
- -> natural or synthetic hydrated aluminosilicate with an open three-dimensional structure, in which water molecules are held in cavities in the lattice
- naturally occurring minerals containing aluminium, silicon and oxygen, are also very good catalysts for this process as their crystal structures contain an extensive network which offers the hydrocarbons a large surface area for reaction
- The term zeolite is derived from the Greek words zeo, meaning to boil, and lithos, meaning stone. Zeolites release large amounts of steam when heated.
- Major uses are in catalytic cracking, ion-exchange (water softening and purification) and the separation and removal of gases and solvents.
reforming
- -> cyclization of straight-chain hydrocarbons from
crude oil by heating under pressure with a catalyst
Izomerization
- chemical process carried out in a refinery that involves a rearrangement of atoms and bonds within a molecule, without changing the molecular formula
- from straight chains -> branched chains, which are used as fuel additives
cyclization
formation of a cyclic compound from an open- chain compound
aromatization
the process by which a compound forms an
aromatic ring
- chlorophyll
green pigment found in plants involved in absorbing light for photosynthesis; a magnesium-based porphyrin
pigment
substance that has a colour resulting from selective colour absorption
Porphyrins
molecules featuring four pyrrole groups joined together by alternating carbon–carbon single and double bonds. Chlorophylls are examples of porphyrins
Pyrrole
a five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. Pyrrole itself (C4H4NH) is a colourless, volatile liquid. Many naturally occurring larger molecules contain pyrrole rings
tetrapyrroles
natural pigments containing four pyrrole
rings joined by one-carbon units linking position 2 of
one pyrrole ring to position 5 of the next
zymase
- -> a mixture of enzymes found in yeast involved in fermentation (a form of anaerobic respiration)
- Fermentation is carried out by single-celled fungi called yeasts, which use an enzyme called zymase to convert glucose molecules into ethanol molecules, with production of carbon dioxide.
lipids
group of organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides, which are insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar organic solvents, for example, ethanol (alcohol)
fatty acid
a group of long monobasic acids, found in animal and vegetable fats and oils, having the general formula CnH2n+1COOH and containing an even number of carbon atoms
transesterification
animal and plant fats and oils (made of triglycerides which are esters of free fatty acids with glycerol) and an alcohol (methanol or ethanol) are converted into ethyl esters and glycerol with the help of a base catalyst, usually sodium hydroxide
loss of biodiversity
- a term describing the variety of life present in a particular ecosystem. ‘Loss of biodiversity’ usually describes the way in which human impact on the ecosystem affects the natural interdependence of species, leading to many organisms being displaced or dying out
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peer-reviewed journal
a publication in which new scientific research is published. The editorial process involves each article being checked and reviewed by other experts in the specific fields involved
Anode
where oxidation (the loss of electrons) occurs during an electrochemical process; in an electrolytic cell the anode is the positive electrode
Cathode
where reduction (the gain of electrons) occurs during an electrochemical process; in an electrolytic cell the cathode is the negative electrode
battery
- -> a group of voltaic cells connected together in series or in parallel
- The word battery has come to mean any portable device which offers a self- contained source of electricity.
There are three main types of cells or batteries: primary cells, secondary cells, and fuel cells.
Primary cell
Disposable batteries used for household items such as torches, clocks and toys are primary cells. A primary cell contains a chemical mixture that uses an electrochemical reaction to generate an EMF when connected in a circuit When the chemicals have ‘run out’ the battery is exhausted and is thrown away. Such batteries are referred to as dry cells because they use an almost dry paste, rather than a liquid, as the electrolyte. This lowers the chance of toxic chemicals leaking from the battery.
