Molecules from Crude Oil
Crude oil is a mixture of many liquids.
These liquids have to be separated by fractional distillation in order to be burned for specific purposes.
Crude oil fractions belong to a group of chemicals called alkanes.
Alkanes are hydrocarbons, containing covalent bonds between C and H atoms.
The larger the alkane molecule, the more heat energy produced on burning making them good fuels.
Also because of their high boiling points, they are safer to transport.
In the UK we use natural gas (methane) for cooking because it flows easily through pipes.
Crude oil is a mixture of many liquids.
These liquids have to be separated by fractional distillation in order to be burned for specific purposes.
Crude oil fractions belong to a group of chemicals called alkanes.
Alkanes are hydrocarbons, containing covalent bonds between C and H atoms.
The larger the alkane molecule, the more heat energy produced on burning making them good fuels.
Also because of their high boiling points, they are safer to transport.
In the UK we use natural gas (methane) for cooking because it flows easily through pipes.