Sciences - Co-ordinated (9-1) - 0973 CIE

Fuels

Overview

The petrol in a car, the kerosene in a jet, the bitumen under a road and the gas on a stove all start as the same black, sticky liquid pumped from underground. Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons, and turning it into these very different useful products is one of the great industrial achievements of chemistry.

In this lesson you will learn what the fossil fuels are, why methane is the main part of natural gas, and how petroleum is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. You will follow how boiling point, chain length, volatility and viscosity change up the fractionating column, and learn the main use of each fraction.

Objectives

Name the fossil fuels: coal, natural gas and petroleum.
Name methane as the main constituent of natural gas.
State that hydrocarbons are compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only.
State that petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons.
Describe the separation of petroleum into useful fractions by fractional distillation.
Describe how the properties of fractions obtained from petroleum change from the bottom to the top of the fractionating column, limited to: (a) decreasing chain length (b) higher volatility (c) lower boiling points (d) lower viscosity.
Name the uses of the fractions as: (a) refinery gas fraction for gas used in heating and cooking (b) gasoline / petrol fraction for fuel used in cars (c) naphtha fraction as a chemical feedstock (d) kerosene / paraffin fraction for jet fuel (e) diesel oil / gas oil fraction for fuel used in diesel engines (f) fuel oil fraction for fuel used in ships and home heating systems (g) lubricating oil fraction for lubricants, waxes and polishes (h) bitumen fraction for making roads.

Lesson Note

Almost everything that moves, from cars and lorries to ships and aeroplanes, runs on a fraction of petroleum, and petroleum also supplies the raw materials for plastics and many chemicals. Knowing how a single crude mixture is split into these products, and why each fraction suits its job, is essential chemistry and a regular exam topic.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Fuels. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

What is the main constituent of natural gas? A. Ethane B. Methane C. Propane D. Hydrogen Answer: B
Petroleum is best described as: A. a compound of carbon B. a single hydrocarbon C. a mixture of hydrocarbons D. an element Answer: C
Going up the fractionating column, the boiling point of the fractions: A. increases B. decreases C. stays the same D. first rises then falls Answer: B
Which fraction is used as jet fuel? A. Bitumen B. Petrol C. Kerosene D. Refinery gas Answer: C
Which fraction is used for making roads? A. Naphtha B. Bitumen C. Diesel oil D. Lubricating oil Answer: B