Fractional Distillation Flashcards
Alkanes are saturated Hydrocarbons, what does that mean ?
Hydrocarbons are molecules that only contains C + H. Alkanes are saturated which means it only has a C-C single bond.
What is the difference between Shorter and longer chain Alkanes?
The longest hydrocarbons (heavier fractions):
- condense at high boiling points = less flammable
-< vdw forces = more energy to separate
- leave the column as bitumen
- Negative temperature gradient on the column
Shorter hydrocarbon molecules:
- weaker intermolecular forces
- Top of column has a negative temperature gradient (lower b.p)
- highly volatile = flammable
-> vdw forces = less energy to separate
Explain Fractional Distillation (6 Marks)
- Fractional distillation is the process of separating the different hydrocarbon compounds within crude oil.
- First the crude oil is vaporised at around 350C
- and fed into a fractionating column which has a temperature gradient, meaning that Its hotter at the bottom and cooler at the top
-Long chain hydrocarbons with higher boiling points will condense at lower fractions in the column - whilst shorter chain hydrocarbons with lower boiling points will condense at higher fractions in the column.
- These fractions now hold liquid hydrocarbons which will be collected through pipes. Some hydrocarbons with very low boiling points such as natural gases will escape out of the top of the column whilst some hydrocarbons with very high boiling points do not vaporise such as bitumen, which leaves through the bottom of the column.
What type of process is Fractional Distillation
- Fractional distillation is a physical process, not chemical
- no covalent bonds are broken
- The intermolecular forces between molecules are broken as the crude oil is heated
What is fractional Distillation a Mixture of ?
It is a mixture of mostly alkanes, unbranched and branched chain
The mixture is separated into fractions, based on boiling points.
Most fractions contain mainly alkanes, which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen with only single bonds between them
what does each Fraction Consist of?
Each fraction consists of groups of hydrocarbons of similar chain lengths
Do Hydrocarbons of similar chain length have similar boiling points?
YES!
What determines which fraction it will be separated into?
The size and length of each hydrocarbon molecule.
What does the size of each molecule is directly related to?
How many carbon and hydrogen atoms the molecule contains.
Procedure of Fractional Distillation?
1) Turn on h20 , fill condenser
2) Heat flask and Bunsen burner
3) H20 and ethanol turn to vapour
4) Fractionating column has a temp gradient, ethanol and water separate due to different boiling points
5) Only ethanol goes into condenser.
6) Condenser used to cool vapour and condense ethanol into liquid.
What is crude oil and why is it important to separate it into fractions?
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that is extracted from the earth. It is important to separate it into fractions because each fraction has different properties and uses, and can be further processed into useful products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and lubricating oil.
How is crude oil separated into fractions?
Fractional distillation, which involves heating the oil to vaporise it and then cooling the vapour to condense it into different fractions based on their boiling points.
What are the different fractions that crude oil is separated into?
Crude oil is typically separated into fractions including gases, naphtha, kerosene, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, and residual fuel oil, ect.
How are the different fractions of crude oil used?
to create end products, with gases used for heating and cooking, naphtha and kerosene used as solvents and feedstock for the production of chemicals, and diesel fuel and lubricating oil used for transportation and machinery.
What is the importance of fractional distillation in the petroleum industry?
Fractional distillation is a crucial process in the petroleum industry as it enables the production of different products from crude oil that have specific uses and properties, allowing for efficient and effective use of this valuable resource.
Name the two important conditions for fractional distillation
The liquids should be miscible With one another. The difference in boiling point between the two liquids must be less than 25-degree Celsius.
What is the Purpose of Fractional Distillation?
Fractional distillation is very useful when separating more than two types of liquids from a homogeneous mixture. This method is particularly useful in separating liquids that have less than 25°C difference in boiling points.
State the meaning of both the words saturated and hydrocarbon as applied to the term saturated hydrocarbon.
Name the homologous series to which C8H18 belongs.
-Single bonds only /no double or multiple bonds;
-Contains carbon and hydrogen only;
C and H only not C and H molecules
-Alkanes
Outline the essential features of the fractional distillation of crude oil that enable the crude oil to be separated into fractions. (4)
(1) Fractions or hydrocarbons or compounds have different boiling points/ separation depends on bp;
(2) bp depends on size/ Mr/ chain length;
(3) Temp gradient in tower or column / cooler at top of column or vice versa;
(4) Higher bp / larger or heavier molecules at bottom (of column) or vice versa;
C8H18 is obtained by the catalytic cracking of suitable heavy fractions. State what is meant by the term cracking and name the catalyst used in catalytic cracking.
Write an equation to show how one molecule of C14H30 is cracked to form one molecule of C8H18 and one molecule of another hydrocarbon.
Explain why oil companies need to crack ‘suitable heavy fractions’.
-Large molecules or compounds or long chain hydrocarbons (broken) into smaller molecules or compounds or smaller chain hydrocarbons;
Zeolite or aluminosilicate (catalyst);
-C14H30 → C8H18 + C6H12;
-Smaller chain molecules are in more demand or have higher value or vice versa;
The molecular formula C8H18 represents several structural isomers.
State what is meant by the term structural isomers.
Name the following structural isomer of C8H18
- (compounds with) same molecular formula / same no and type of atoms;
- Not atoms/elements with same molecular formula.
And different structure/ structural formula; - 2,2,4-trimethylpentane;
Crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. Outline how
different fractions are obtained by this process.
- Crude oil is heated to vaporise it
- Vapour passed into fractionating columns
- Top of column has a negative temperature gradient
- Fractions are condensed at different temperatures
Give the two main types of product obtained by catalytic cracking
- Identify shortfall in supply - e.g. petrol / small molecules (1)
- Higher value products
Name a catalyst used in catalytic cracking. State the type of mechanism involved and outline the industrial conditions used in the process.
Motor fuels Aromatic hydrocarbons Branched alkanes / hydrocarbons Cycloalkanes