11.3.4

Petroleum - A Mixture of Hydrocarbons

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Petroleum: A Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Petroleum is a natural liquid found underground. It is critical for transport, heating, and industry.

Illustrative background for What is petroleum?Illustrative background for What is petroleum? ?? "content

What is petroleum?

  • This liquid is a mixture of hydrocarbons.
    • Hydrocarbons are compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms only.
  • Petroleum forms from the remains of ancient sea plants and animals.
  • Petroleum is used as a source of different fuels.
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Composition of petroleum

  • Petroleum contains many hydrocarbons of different sizes and shapes.
    • These hydrocarbons can be alkanes, cycloalkanes, or aromatic compounds.
    • The hydrocarbons are identified by their formulas and structure.
  • This mixture makes petroleum useful for various fuel types.
  • Hydrocarbons are separated by a process called fractional distillation.
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Fractional distillation of petroleum

  • This process heats petroleum to vapourise it.
  • Vapours rise through a column and cool at different heights.
  • Hydrocarbons with different boiling points collect separately.
    • This separation produces fuels like petrol, diesel, and kerosene.
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Importance of petroleum hydrocarbons

  • Petroleum hydrocarbons power vehicles and machines.
  • Fuels release energy when hydrocarbons burn with oxygen.
  • Petroleum is vital for modern daily life.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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