Crude Oil

• What is crude oil primarily composed of?

  A mixture of hydrocarbons
• What is the main industrial process used to separate crude oil into fractions?

  Fractional distillation
• What are the main fractions obtained from crude oil?

  • Refinery gases
  • Gasoline
  • Kerosene
  • Diesel fuel oil
  • Bitumen
• What trend is observed in the properties of the main fractions of crude oil?

  The trend in colour, boiling point, and viscosity varies among the fractions
• What is a fuel?

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

  Carbon dioxide and water
• What are the possible products of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons with oxygen?

  Carbon monoxide and soot
• What happens in car engines that allows nitrogen and oxygen from air to react?

  The temperature reached is high enough for the reaction
• What are the products formed from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in car engines?

  Oxides of nitrogen
• How do impurities in hydrocarbon fuels contribute to the formation of sulfur dioxide?

  The combustion of sulfur impurities results in sulfur dioxide
• How do sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen contribute to acid rain?

  They react with water in the atmosphere to form acids
• What is the process of catalytic cracking used for?

  To convert long-chain alkanes to alkenes and shorter-chain alkanes
• What catalysts are used in catalytic cracking?

  Silica or alumina
• What is the temperature range used in catalytic cracking?

  600-700°C
• Why is cracking necessary in the oil industry?

  To balance the supply and demand for different fractions
• Why is carbon monoxide considered poisonous?

  It affects the capacity of blood to transport oxygen