Fossil fuels and Air pollution Flashcards
What is Oil, Natural Gas and Coal?
Oil and Natural gas
When dead aquatic organisms die on the seabed, dust and sediment piles over them through many years. After millions of years, the intense heat and pressure turns it into Oil and Natural gas
Coal
When plants die near swamps, they get buried in layers of soil and sediment. After many years, the pressure turns it into Coal
What’s complete and Incomplete combustion
Complete combustion
When a combustion reaction has enough Oxygen to produce Carbon dioxide and Water
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen ~> Carbon dioxide + Water
Incomplete combustion
When a combustion reaction doesn’t have enough Oxygen, so Carbon monoxide and Soot (Carbon) particles are produced as an outcome
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen ~> Carbon monoxide + Water + Soot
Name the effects of different greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of combustion
Carbon dioxide: Contributes to global warming via the greenhouse effect
Sulfur dioxide: Mixes with water in the Atmosphere to produce Sulfuric acid, which contributes to acid rain
Oxides of Nitrogen: Reacts with water to produce acids that contribute to acid rain
Carbon monoxide: Is poisonous and can cause death if inhaled
Carbon (Soot) particles: Pollutes buildings and statues, Causes global warming, Reduces Photosynthesis and is harmful when inhaled.
The difference between small and large molecules in Hydrocarbons
Small molecules
Low boiling point
Light in colour
Easy to light
Runny
Large molecules
High boiling point
Dark in colour
Hard to light
Thick
What are the products at each temperature fractions in a fractionating tower?
25°C: Fuel Gas
40°C: Gasoline
110°C: Naphtha
200°C: Kerosine
300°C: Diesel
400°C: Residue
What is cracking?
When some fractions are in greater demand than others, larger molecules are ‘Cracked’ by heat, pressure and catalysts into smaller molecules of the fraction in greater demand
