source and extraction of hydrocarbons

topic: organic chemistry

sub-topic: source and extraction of hydrocarbons
names: Justin Mendez
class: 4s3
table of content
cover page …………………………………..…………………………..…………..……….pg1

table of content …………………………………………………….………………..……….pg2

what is natural gas …………………………………………………………………..……….pg3

what is petroleum …………………………………………………………………..……….pg4

labelled diagram of fractioning tower…………………………………………………… ….pg5

listed fraction of petroleum and uses of each fraction …………………….………..……….pg6

described cracking of petroleum fractions thermal and catalytic …..;….…………..…….….pg7

interesting information about the project …………………...………………………..……….pg8

 natural gases
whats a natural gas :
Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed primarily of methane

give definition and whats it made of

Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed primarily of methane, with smaller
amounts of other hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. It is formed deep
beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years through the decomposition of organic matter under
high pressure and heat. Natural gas is typically found in underground reservoirs and is extracted
through drilling. It is a versatile energy source used for heating, electricity generation, and as a fuel for
vehicles. Its combustion produces fewer emissions compared to other fossil fuels, making it relatively
cleaner.
 petroleum

What is petroleum
Petroleum, often referred to as crude oil, is a naturally occurring liquid found beneath the Earth's
surface.

give definition and what it made of

It is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, which are organic compounds consisting primarily of
hydrogen and carbon atoms. These hydrocarbons can vary in size from small molecules like methane to
large molecules like asphalt. Petroleum is formed over millions of years from the decomposition of
organic materials, such as plankton and algae, which settle at the bottom of ancient oceans and undergo
geological processes like heat and pressure. It is the primary source of fuel for various industries,
including transportation, manufacturing, and heating, and it is also used as a raw material in the
production of plastics, lubricants, and chemicals.
Labelled fractoning tower showing
its levels

A fractionating tower, also known as a distillation column, is a tall vertical structure used in the refining
of crude oil to separate it into its various components or fractions based on their boiling points. The
separation of these fractions is based on the principle of fractional distillation, where the crude oil is
heated and vaporized, and then the vapors are condensed at different levels of the tower based on their
boiling points. Each fraction is then collected separately for further processing.

1. Bottom Level (Base):This is where the crude oil enters the tower. The temperature at the bottom is
the highest because the heavier fractions, such as residual fuel oil and bitumen, have higher boiling
points and are collected here.

2. First Stage (Low Boiling Point Fractions): As you move up the tower, the temperature decreases.
Lighter fractions with lower boiling points, such as gasoline (petrol) and naphtha, are collected at this
level.

3. Second Stage (Intermediate Fractions):Above the first stage, you'll find intermediate fractions like
kerosene (jet fuel) and diesel, which have higher boiling points than gasoline but lower than heavy fuel
oil.

4. Third Stage (Higher Boiling Point Fractions): Further up, you'll find heavier fractions like lubricating
oils and heavy fuel oils, which have higher boiling points.

5. Top Level (Overhead): At the very top of the tower, gases such as methane, ethane, propane, and
butane, which have the lowest boiling points, are collected. These gases are often used as feedstocks for
petrochemical processes or as fuel gases.
Fraction of petroleum and its uses of each fraction

1. Natural Gas (Methane, Ethane, Propane, Butane):

- Uses: Used as fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. Also serves as a feedstock for
petrochemical processes to produce plastics, fertilizers, and various chemicals.

2. Naphtha:
- Uses: Primarily used as a feedstock for producing gasoline through reforming processes. Also used
as a solvent in various industries and as a raw material in the production of petrochemicals, including
plastics and synthetic rubber.

3. Gasoline
- Uses: Mainly used as fuel for internal combustion engines in vehicles. Also utilized as a solvent and
as a blending component in the production of other fuels, such as aviation fuel and diesel.

4. Kerosene (Jet Fuel):

- Uses: Primarily used as aviation fuel for jet engines. Also used as a heating fuel, particularly in
portable stoves and lamps, and as a solvent for cleaning purposes.

5. Diesel:
- Uses: Used as fuel for diesel engines in trucks, buses, trains, ships, and some cars. Also employed in
stationary engines for electricity generation and heating.

6. Lubricating Oils:
- Uses: Used to lubricate moving parts in machinery and engines to reduce friction and wear. Also
utilized in hydraulic systems and as a coolant in some applications.

7. Residual Fuel Oil

- Uses: Mainly used as fuel for large ships, power plants, industrial boilers, and furnaces. Also used in
some industrial processes and as a feedstock for producing other petroleum products.

8. Asphalt
- Uses: Primarily used in road construction and maintenance for paving roads,
highways, and airport runways. Also used as a waterproofing agent in roofing
materials and as a binder in asphalt concrete for construction projects.
 Cracking of petroleum fractions

Thermal Cracking:
- In thermal cracking, also known as pyrolysis or steam cracking, the
hydrocarbon feedstock is heated to high temperatures (usually between
500°C to 900°C) in the absence of oxygen.
- The high temperature causes the long-chain hydrocarbon molecules to
break apart into smaller molecules through the process of thermal decomposition.
- This results in the formation of a mixture of lighter hydrocarbons, including ethylene, propylene,
butadiene, and other olefins, as well as smaller amounts of aromatic compounds.
- Thermal cracking is typically used to produce ethylene, which is a key building block for the
petrochemical industry in the production of plastics, synthetic rubber, and other chemical products.

Catalytic Cracking:
- Catalytic cracking involves the use of a catalyst to accelerate the cracking reaction at lower
temperatures compared to thermal cracking.
- The catalyst used is usually a solid material, such as zeolites or silica-alumina, which provides
active sites for the hydrocarbon molecules to undergo cracking.
- The feedstock is mixed with the catalyst and heated to moderate temperatures (typically between
450°C to 550°C) in a reactor vessel.
- The catalyst facilitates the breaking of long-chain hydrocarbons into smaller, more desirable
products, such as gasoline, diesel, and other lighter fractions.
- Catalytic cracking is often used to convert heavy hydrocarbons from crude oil or residual fuel oil
into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline and diesel, which have higher market demand.

Both thermal and catalytic cracking play crucial roles in the petroleum refining process by enabling the
production of a wide range of valuable products from crude oil and its fractions. Each method offers
distinct advantages and is chosen based on factors such as feedstock composition, desired product slate,
and economic considerations.
Interesting facts about this presentation

1. History of Catalytic Cracking: Catalytic cracking revolutionized the petroleum refining industry
when it was introduced in the early 20th century. It significantly improved the efficiency of converting
heavy crude oil fractions into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline. This innovation played a
crucial role in meeting the growing demand for gasoline during the rise of the automotive industry.

2. Importance of Ethylene: Ethylene, one of the primary products of thermal cracking, is one of the
most important building blocks in the petrochemical industry. It is used to manufacture a wide range of
products, including plastics (such as polyethylene), synthetic rubber, solvents, and detergents. The
production of ethylene through cracking processes has had a profound impact on various sectors of the
global economy.

3. Environmental Considerations: While cracking processes are essential for producing valuable
petroleum products, they also generate environmental concerns due to the emission of greenhouse
gases and air pollutants. Efforts are continually made to develop more efficient and environmentally
friendly cracking technologies, such as using renewable energy sources for heating or implementing
carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques to reduce emissions.

4. Global Market Dynamics:The demand for petroleum products and petrochemicals, including those
produced through cracking processes, is influenced by various factors such as economic growth,
industrial development, transportation trends, and government policies. Understanding these market
dynamics is crucial for decision-making in the petroleum refining and petrochemical sectors.