Crude Oil

• What is crude oil primarily composed of?

  A mixture of hydrocarbons
• What type of molecules does crude oil contain?

  Molecules with carbon in chains or rings
• Why is crude oil considered an important resource?

  It is a source of fuels and petrochemical feedstock
• Is crude oil a renewable resource?

  No, it is a finite resource
• How does fractional distillation separate crude oil?

  By heating and condensing at different temperatures
• What happens to crude oil in the fractionating column?

  It evaporates and condenses at various temperatures
• What do the fractions from crude oil contain?

  Molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms
• How does the fractionating column operate?

  It works continuously, tapping off fractions at different levels
• What can the fractions from crude oil be processed into?

  Fuels and petrochemical feedstock
• What are refinery gases used for?

  Domestic heating and cooking
• What is gasoline used for?

  Fuel for cars
• What is kerosene primarily used for?

  Fuel for aircraft
• What is diesel used for?

  Fuel for some cars and trains
• What is fuel oil used for?

  Fuel for large ships and power stations
• What is bitumen used for?

  Surface roads and roofs
• How do the properties of hydrocarbons depend on their size?

  Properties influence their use as fuels
• What happens to the boiling point of fractions with shorter molecules?

  The boiling point is lower
• How does viscosity change with shorter molecules?

  It becomes less viscous (more runny)
• How does the color of fractions change with molecule length?

  Colors are darker at the bottom fractions
• What defines a fuel?

  A substance that releases heat energy when burned
• What are the products of complete combustion of hydrocarbons?

  CO₂ and H₂O
• What occurs during incomplete combustion?

  Produces soot and carbon monoxide
• Why is carbon monoxide considered poisonous?

  It prevents oxygen transport in blood
• What can carbon monoxide poisoning lead to?

  Breathing difficulties and death
• What happens in car engines regarding nitrogen and oxygen?

  They react to form oxides of nitrogen
• What are examples of oxides of nitrogen?

  Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• How does sulfur in fuels contribute to pollution?

  It oxidizes to produce sulfur dioxide
• How do sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain?

  They react with rainwater to create H⁺ ions
• What effect does acid rain have on the environment?

  It can corrode rocks and buildings
• How does acid rain affect ecosystems?

  It alters pH in soil and rivers
• What material does acid rain corrode?

  Limestone, damaging buildings and statues
• What is the purpose of catalytic cracking?

  To convert long-chain alkanes to alkenes and shorter alkanes
• What conditions are required for catalytic cracking?

  Temperature range of 600-700˚C with a catalyst
• What happens to hydrocarbons during cracking?

  They are heated to vaporize and then decomposed
• What are the products of cracking?

  Alkanes and unsaturated hydrocarbons called alkenes
• What is the general formula for alkenes?

  C_nH_2n
• Why is cracking necessary in the oil industry?

  To balance supply and demand for different fractions
• What is the demand for smaller chained alkanes compared to longer chained alkanes?

  Much greater for smaller chained alkanes
• What is the supply situation for longer chained alkanes?

  Greater than that for smaller chained alkanes
• What is required to produce smaller chained alkanes?

  An alternative process like cracking