HydroCarbons

What is a hydrocarbon? When hydrogen and carbon combine to form a simple or complex molecule States range from gas to a tar like substance Simple chains are in gas form; So the longer the hydrocarbon chain, the more waxy the oil becomes, until eventually you get a very sticky tar To get the different hydrocarbons, remember that crude oil or rock needs to be distilled.

Hydrocarbon Identification Methane [C1] and ethane [C2] are gases at ambient temperatures and cannot be readily liquified by pressure alone. Propane [C3] is however easily liquified, and exists in 'propane bottles' mostly as a liquid. Butane [C4] is easily liquified. The chains in the C5, C6 and C7 range are all very light, easily vaporized, clear liquids. They are used as solvents -- dry cleaning fluids can be made from these liquids, as well as paint solvents and other quick-drying products. The chains from C7H16 through C11H24 are blended together and used for gasoline. All of them vaporize at temperatures below the boiling point of water. That's why if you spill gasoline on the ground it evaporates very quickly.

Hydrocarbon Identification Next is kerosene, in the C12 to C15 range, followed by diesel fuel and heavier fuel oils (like heating oil for houses). Next come the lubricating oils. These oils no longer vaporize in any way at normal temperatures. For example, engine oil can run all day at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) without vaporizing at all. Vasoline falls in there as well.

Hydrocarbon Identification Chains above the C20 range form solids, starting with paraffin wax, then tar and finally asphaltic bitumen, which is used to make asphalt roads. All of these different substances come from crude oil. The only difference is the length of the carbon chains!

Common Fuel Molecular Structures

Common Fuel Molecular Structures

Common Fuel Molecular Structures

Common Fuel Molecular Structures Tar chemical formulas

Methane Single carbon, four hydrogens CH4 colorless, odorless gas with a wide distribution in nature; best greenhouse gas less dense than air melts at –183°C and boils at –164°C. It is not very soluble in water.

Propane Three carbons, C3H8 is also known as liquefied petroleum gas by-product of natural gas and crude oil refining compressible to a transportable liquid heavier than air - In its raw state, propane sinks and pools at the floor Odorless, Colorless gas melts at −187.7 °C and boils at −42.1 °C It is not very soluble in water.

Ethanol C2H5OH – a two carbon chain is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. is also known as ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol by-product of the fermentation of sugar melts at −114 °C and boils at 78 °C capable of being mixed in water.

Butane C4H10 – four carbon chain is a gaseous component of natural gas- needs to be extracted is often combined with propane to form a new product called LPG, or Liquid Propane Gas. When compressed, it becomes a liquid very quickly. Once it is released into the air, however, it reacts with an ignition source to become a highly flammable gas. is also known as liquefied petroleum gas heavier than air colorless, easily liquefied gas. melts at −138.4 °C and boils at −0.5 °C It is not very soluble in water.

Heptane seven carbons C7H16 widely applied in laboratories as a totally non-polar solvent; use in paints and coatings, as the rubber cement solvent, outdoor stove fuel, pharmaceutical manufacturing and as a minor component of gasoline. undesirable in petrol, because it burns explosively, Colorless liquid melts at −90.61 °C and boils at 98.42 °C . Does not mix in water.

Octane C 8 H 18 or CH3(CH2)6CH3 are very flammable; a component of gasoline. when gasoline companies boasted of "high octane" levels in their gasoline in advertisements. These commercials refer to the octane rating, which is a measure for the anti-knocking properties of gasoline. The octane rating is not directly related to the amount of octane contained in the gasoline. Colorless liquid melts at −57 °C and boils at 125.52 °C Does not mix in water.