Industrial UsesPetroleum

and Kerosene

The Petroleum Age• The petroleum industry produces a diverse range of materials

that are essential to our modern life.

• Petroleum is the source of many important materials known as petrochemicals or petroleum products.

• The most prominent application of petroleum products is in their use as fuels

• However there are many more applications of petrochemicals

Petro-FUELS

Petroleum Fuels• There are numerous fuels that are derived from crude oil.

• Different fuels have different properties and therefore are used for distinct purposes. (i.e. different vehicles require different fuels)

• Some of these fuels include: petrol, LPG, diesel, kerosene (jet fuel) and fuel oils

The Internal Combustion Engine

• Burning a hydrocarbon gives off heat, water and carbon dioxide.

• Modern engines take advantage of the heat released by the combustion of hydrocarbons in order to power things such as cars and machinery.

• The heat energy is converted into mechanical energy which in turn operates the pistons that drive the mechanisms of the apparatus.

The General Formula of Combustion

• The equation for the combustion of hydrocarbons is given by the following:

• The amount of heat, water and carbon dioxide is determined by the length of the carbon chain and the properties of the hydrocarbon.

HeatCO O)H2

( )O4

(HC 2(g)(g)22(g)(g) xyy

xyx

How the Engine Works

• Most engines in cars these days are “four stroke”

• The liquid fuel vaporises and mixes with air in the combustion chamber.

• This mixture is compressed and then a spark triggers combustion.

• The piston is forced downwards and then moves up again to expel the waste products of H2O and CO2.

The Four Strokes

Petrol as a Fuel

• Petrol is the most common fuel.

• Used in most modern cars.

• Contains carbon chains between 6 and 12. But is primarily comprised of Octane, C8H18.

• Equation of combustion:/mol-5468.49KJH CO8 OH9 O21HC 2(g)(g)22(g)18(g)8

2

1

Diesel as a Fuel

• Diesel is used primarily in trucks.

• This is because it is more efficient and can be taken advantage of during long cargo routes

• Contains carbon chains of around 12 to 18. Is commonly estimated to C14H30.

• Equation of combustion:

l-8712KJ/moHCO14 OH15 O21HC 2(g)(g)22(g)0(g)3142

1

Non Fuel Petrochemical Use

Non Fuel Petroleum Products

• Petrochemicals are not limited to serving only as fuels.

• Pesticides, plastics, fibres, solvents, paints, glue, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bitumen, asphalt, lubricants, synthetic rubbers and explosives all are derived from petroleum products

• Many byproducts from the refinery of petroleum are used to produce a diverse range of versatile materials, here are just a few.

Petroleum Jelly

• Known as soft paraffin (or Vasoline), a cream like mix of hydrocarbons with chain lengths above 25 Carbons.

• Resists oxidation and is used to coat metals.

• Used cosmetically to protect skin, can also seal wounds.

• May be employed as a lubricant but potentially “gums” up.

Lubricating Oils• Blends of Hydrocarbons with just less than 20 carbons.

• Do not vaporise at standard temperatures and will remain liquid even at 121˚C.

• Reduce wear and friction between moving parts in a piece of equipment.

• Lubricate machinery and vehicles which operate at high temperatures.

Plastics

• Polymerised chains of hydrocarbons become plastics.

• A single Polymer can contain over 100,000 molecules of its constituent monomer.

• PolyEythlene (Ethlyene), PolyPropylene (Propylene) and Polystryene (Stryrene), are three of the most common plastics, (the monomers have been given in brackets).

• Plastics can be molded into an abundance of items, including, computer housing, car parts, toys, containers, prothestics, cds, dvds, etc.

What Plastics Look like…

• …on a molecular scale

Solvents

• Solvents dissolve substances

• Work on the principle that “like dissolves like”

• Hydrocarbon solvents are ideal for cleaning greasy and oily residue, due to this principle.

• Most cleaners contain some form of petrochemical for this purpose

Kerosene

Kerosene

• Kerosene, most notably used in jet engines as a fuel base.

• Predominantly used as a heating oil for lamps in the early 1900s.

• Has several more applications and is representative of the versatility of petroleum products.

Kerosene in the Fuel of Jets• Jet fuel is not solely comprised of kerosene.

• Many additives such a benzene and toluene are added to increase the favourable properties of kerosene, which includes its resistance to gelling.

• Its high enthalpy makes it ideal for jet speed flight.

• Jet engines (gas turbines) use the combustion of kerosene with air to achieve motion

• Equation of Combustion:

l-7513KJ/moH CO13 OH12 OHC 2(g)(g)22(g)26(g)122

37

Kerosene – the Other Uses

• Solvent, particularly for tar and grease

• Pesticide, its low density allows it float on water and suffocate mosquito larvae

• Heating oil, combustion of kerosene is used for camp stoves, heating units and some lamps

Environmental Consequences

• Combustion of kerosene produces the greenhouse gases CO2

and water vapour

• When used as a pesticide endangers other flora and fauna

• Volatile and can cause fires especially when used in a camp stove or lamp.

• Products of Petroleum often not biodegradable, such as plastics, synthetic rubbers, oils, paints, glues and solvents.