Passed into the bottom of the
fractionating column where it rises up.
Large hydrocarbons do not vaporise and
run to the bottom to form a "gooey"
residue.
As the vapor rises, it cools and forms a
temperature gradient.
Boiling points increase as molecules increase
so they condense at different temperatures
and are drawn off at different levels in the
column.
The smallest hydrocarbons do not condense
and are drawn off as gas at the top of the
column.
Petroleum is a fancy word for crude oil - the stuff in the
ground. It is a mixture mostly made up of alkanes.
Modification of Alkanes by Cracking
Cracking is breaking long-chain
hydrocarbons in to smaller ones. It involves
breaking C-C bonds.
Types of Cracking
Thermal Cracking
Takes place at high temperatures (1000 C)
and high pressures (70 atm).
Produces lots of alkenes.
Catalytic Cracking
Uses a zeolite catalyst (hydrated aluminosilicate).
Slight pressure used and a high temperature (500 C).
Mostly produces aromatic hydrocarbons
and the alkanes used in motor fuels.
The catalyst cuts cost due to reducing pressure
and temperature requirements and speeds up the
reaction saving time and money.
Combustion of Alkanes
Alkanes are used as fuels because they
release a large amount of energy when burnt.
Same as normal combustion - you get
complete and incomplete.
Pollution Produced by Combustion
Nitrogen Oxides - toxic and poisonous
molecules with the general formula NOx.
Not all hydrocarbons are burnt which react with
nitrogen oxides in the presence of oxygen for
form ground-level ozone (a component of smog)
Carbon Monoxide
Sulfur Dioxide is formed if the hydrocarbon contains sulfur.
This dissolves in moisture and forms sulfuric acid which
causes acid rain. Nitrogen Dioxide also does this.
Catalytic converters remove
these gaseous pollutants.
General Equation:
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen ->
Carbon Dioxide + Water