Fuels and Hydrocarbons Flashcards
What is crude oil made from?
Remains of plants and animals over millions of years
What is crude oil?
A complex mixture of lots of different hydrocarbons
How is crude oil separated?
Fractional distillation
What is the order of hydrocarbons? (in order)
Bitumen, Fuel oil, Diesel oil, Kerosene, Petrol, Natural gas
What is a homologous series?
A family of molecules which have the same general formula and similar chemical properties
What is cracking?
Turning long hydrocarbons into smaller hydrocarbons
What are the requirements for cracking?
High temperatures of 600-700 degrees
A catalyst of aluminium or silica
Why do we crack longer chain hydrocarbons?
To match supply and demand of shorter chain hydrocarbons
What is a saturated molecule?
A molecule which contains only single bonds
What is an unsaturated molecule?
A molecule which contains at least 1 double bond
How can you test for an alkene?
Add bromine water (decolourises if alkene present)
What are the advantages of putting plastics in landfill?
Cheaper than separating or recycling
What are the disadvantages of putting plastics in landfill?
- Lots of valuable land quickly used up
- Most polymers are non-biodegradable so won’t be broken down by microorganisms
What are the advantages of combustion of plastics?
Can be used to generate electricity or heat local homes
What are the disadvantages of combustion of plastics?
Toxic gases can be released
