Alkanes and Crude Oil Chemistry

Alkanes

• Definition: Alkanes are a type of saturated hydrocarbon, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms.
• General formula: CnH2n+2
• Examples:
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Ethane (C2H6)
  • Propane (C3H8)
  • Butane (C4H10)
• Properties:
  • Non-polar and non-reactive
  • Low boiling points and melting points
  • Insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents
  • Can be used as fuels

Crude Oil

• Definition: A complex mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of alkanes and aromatic compounds.
• Composition:
  • Alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons)
  • Aromatic compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene)
  • Cycloalkanes (e.g., cyclohexane)
  • Other impurities (e.g., sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen)
• Formation:
  • Formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals through geological processes
  • Found in underground rock formations, often in conjunction with natural gas
• Refining:
  • Process of separating crude oil into various components, or fractions, based on boiling points
  • Fractions include:
    • Petroleum gases (e.g., methane, ethane)
    • Naphtha (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel)
    • Middle distillates (e.g., diesel fuel, heating oil)
    • Fuel oils (e.g., heavy fuel oil, lubricating oils)
    • Residuals (e.g., asphalt, paraffin wax)