Some alkanes are used as fuels for transport. Crude oil, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons, is the major source of these alkanes. Crude oil is processed by fractional distillation, cracking and reforming.
Fractional distillation produces fractions which contain molecules of a similar boiling temperature. Molecules containing six carbon atoms are found in both the petrol fraction and the higher boiling kerosene fraction.
(1)
(3)
During cracking, carbon to carbon bonds are broken.
Explain the two major reasons for cracking hydrocarbons.
Which of the following changes to the proportions of organic molecules within a fraction results from the reforming process?
Proportion of branched chain alkanes | Proportion of cyclic hydrocarbons | |||
☐ | A | decrease | decrease | |
☐ | B | decrease | increase | |
☐ | C | increase | decrease | |
☐ | D | increase | increase |
Did this page help you?