Refining Oil Study Flashcards

Practice flashcards based on the 'Refining oil' lecture notes covering crude oil composition, hydrocarbon properties, fractional distillation, and uses of oil fractions.

What is a hydrocarbon according to the text?

A compound that contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms.

Why are the hundreds of different compounds in crude oil considered organic compounds?

Because they were all made from living things and their molecules all contain carbon atoms.

What are the four simplest hydrocarbons mentioned that are found as natural gas or dissolved in oil?

Methane, ethane, propane, and butane.

What happens to gases like propane and butane under pressure?

They turn into liquids, which makes them easier to package and carry as fuels.

How does the number of carbon atoms in a molecule generally affect its boiling point?

The more carbon atoms there are in a molecule, the higher the boiling point of the compound will be.

What are the physical characteristics of a liquid with a small number of carbon atoms versus a large number?

A small number of carbon atoms results in a runny and volatile liquid (evaporates easily), while a large number results in a thick and oily liquid.

How is the process of 'refining' oil defined?

Separating the compounds in oil into groups depending on their boiling points and molecule sizes.

What specific method is used to refine oil in a fractionating tower?

Fractional distillation.

What are the different groups of compounds separated during refining called?

Fractions.

What occurs inside the bubble caps of a fractionating tower?

Higher boiling-point vapours condense to liquids while others carry on as gases.

According to the table, what are the boiling points and carbon atom ranges for petroleum gases?

Boiling points: less than $40\,^\circ\text{C}$; Number of carbon atoms: $1-4$.

According to the table, what are the boiling points and carbon atom ranges for diesel oil?

Boiling points: $220-250\,^\circ\text{C}$; Number of carbon atoms: $15-25$.

According to the table, what are the boiling points and carbon atom ranges for bitumen?

Boiling points: above $350\,^\circ\text{C}$; Number of carbon atoms: $60$ and above.

What is the process of 'catalytic cracking'?

Passing large molecules (like naphtha) mixed with steam over hot catalysts to break them down into smaller ones.

What percentage of refined oil ends up as fuel?

More than $80\%$.

What are the specific chemicals derived from naphtha?

Nylon, PVC, polystyrene, fertilizers, insecticides, and dyes.

What are the primary uses of the bitumen fraction?

Road surfaces and waterproof materials such as damp coursing and asphalt roofing.