Organic Chemistry 1 Flashcards
How can we separate petroleum into useful fractions?
fractional distillation
How do the boiling points of fractions change as you go down the fractionating column?
as you go down, the boiling points increase
How does the viscosity of fractions change as you go down the fractionating column?
as you go down, the viscosity increases
How do the volatilities of fractions change as you go down the fractionating column?
as you go down, the volatility decreases
How do the chain lengths of fractions change as you go down the fractionating column?
as you go down, chain length increases
Name the three fossil fuels.
coal, natural gas and petroleum
What is the main constituent of natural gas?
methane
Define the term ‘hydrocarbon’.
Compounds containing hydrogen and carbon only
What process is used to separate petroleum into its fractions?
Fractional distillation
What is petroleum?
a mixture of hydrocarbons
What is a fraction?
a group of hydrocarbons with similar chain lengths
What are features of fractions obtained from petroleum at the top of the fractionating column?
- lower boiling points
- runny
- volatile
- smaller chain length
What are features of fractions obtained from petroleum at the bottom of the fractionating column?
- higher boiling points
- viscous
- low volatility
- bigger chain length
What is the order of the fractions, from the smallest chain to the largest?
refinery gas
gasoline
naphtha
paraffin
diesel oil
fuel oil
lubricating fraction
bitumen
What is the use of refinery gas?
heating and cooking
What is the use of gasoline?
fuel in cars
What is the use of naphtha?
chemical feedstock
What is the use of paraffin?
jet fuel
What is the use of diesel oil?
fuel used in diesel engines
What is the use of fuel oil?
fuel in ships and home heating systems
What is the use of lubricating oil?
for lubricants, waxes and polishes
What is the use of bitumen?
making roads
What is the general formula of alkanes?
CnH2n+2