Fractional distillation, Industrial cracking and catalytic cracking. Sam White

Crude oil Oil is a fossil fuel created by the breakdown of plant and animal remains. Crude oil, mixture of Alkanes. Crude oil can react in the atmosphere with water to create sulphuric acid.

Fractional distillation of crude oil Crude oil must be separated to make it into useful products through fractional distillation This is done by heating the oil and collecting the fractions at different ranges of temperatures.

Uses of crude oil Tar/bitumen- Roads and roofing Fuel oil- Ships, power stations Lubricating oil and waxes- Engine oil Diesel oil- Lorries and taxis Kerosene/paraffin- jet fuel, lighting Gasoline/petrol- Cars Gases

Industrial cracking Low demand for long chain fractions. Economically useful to crack them into smaller chains Some of the products are alkenes which are more reactive than Alkanes. Alkenes are used to convert into a whole range of different compounds and products such as paint and drugs.

Thermal cracking Involves heating Alkanes to a high temperature and pressure These form shorter chains which are higher in demand. Usually creates an alkenes.

Catalytic cracking Just like thermal cracking but at a lower temperature and pressure and involved the use of a zeolite catalyst. Zeolite catalysts have a huge surface area and are acidic. The products made are mostly branched alkanes and cycloalkanes.