Fuels Flashcards
What is crude oil made of
A mixture of hydrocarbons
How is crude oil split
Fractional distillation
What is made at different temperatures in fractional distillation
Gases 40 C: petrol 110 C: naphtha (lighter fluid) 180 C: kerosene jet fuel 259 C: diesel 340 C: fuel oil power stations
What is complete combustion
There is plenty of oxygen
Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
What is incomplete combustion
Not enough oxygen
Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon + carbon monoxide + carbon dioxide + water
What is carbon monoxide
Colourless, odourless gas that is poisonous and is released by faulty gas fires and boilers
What to consider when choosing a fuel
Ease of ignition
Energy value
Ash and smoke
Storage and transport t
What happens when fossil fuels are burnt
Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water vapour
How does sulfur dioxide cause acid rain
It mixes with clouds and forms dilute sulfuric acid
What are the problems with acid rain
Makes lakes acidic killing organisms
Kills trees and damages limestone buildings
What is the problem with removing sulfur from fuels
Takes more energy and releases carbon dioxide
What are cars fitted with to reduce emissions
Catalytic converters
What are the problems with greenhouse gases (CO2 methane and water vapour)
Absorbs heat that would normally be radiated into space and sends it back to earth
How does human activity affect carbon dioxide levels
Deforestation: released when trees are burnt and organisms eat the wood which respire.
Burning fossil fuel
What is iron seeding
Iron is needed for photosynthesis so it is put into oceans to promote growth of phytoplankton which bloom and absorb CO2.
However some of these plankton are toxic and cause dead zones
