Crude oil

• Recall Hydrocarbons

  Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only
• Crude oil is..

  • A mixture of hydrocarbons
  • Molecules in which carbon atoms are in chains or rings
  • An important source of useful substances (fuels & feedstock)
  • A finite resource
• Separation of crude oil

  • Crude oil is a mixture of different hydrocarbons with different boiling points
  • The crude oil is heated in the fractionating column and the oil evaporates and condenses at a number of different temperatures
  • Heated crude oil is piped at the bottom and vaporized oil rises up the column
• Recall the names and uses of the following fractions

  • Gases : domestic heating and cooking
  • Petrol : fuel for cars
  • Kerosene : fuel for aircraft
  • Diesel oil : fuel for lorries and trains
  • Fuel oil : fuel for large ships
  • Bitumen : surface roads and roofs
• How are the homologous series similar

  • Have the same general formula
  • Differ by CH2
  • Show gradual variation in physical properties
  • Have similar chemical properties
• Petrol, kerosene and diesel oil are

  • Non renewable fossil fuels
  • And methane is a non renewable fossil fuel found in natural gas