Crude Oil and Fuels

• A hydrocarbon is a compound containing only hydrogen and carbon.
• Crude oil is formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient biomass.
• The alkanes are hydrocarbons that only have single bonds.
• First four alkanes:

  • Methane
  • Ethane
  • Propane
  • Butane
• The general formula for alkanes is: C n H 2n+2
• The longer the chain, the higher the boiling point and viscosity but the lower the flammability.
• Different alkanes in crude oil can be separated using fractional distillation.
• A fraction is a group of hydrocarbons with a similar chain length.
• Useful fuels produced using fractional distillation:

  • Petrol
  • Diesel oil
  • Kerosene
  • Heavy fuel oil
  • Liquefied petroleum gases
• Useful materials produced from crude oil:

  • Solvents
  • Lubricants
  • Polymers
  • Detergents
• Cracking is breaking down a hydrocarbon with a long chain into smaller molecules.
• Alkenes are hydrocarbons with a double bond.
• Alkenes are used for formation of polymers.
• Alkenes are much more reactive than alkanes.
• Alkenes turn orange bromine water colourless.