Discovering Science of Petrol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Discovering the Science of Petrol Discovering the Science of Petrol What is petrol? Additives are needed to prevent knocking What is reforming? The National Car Testing Service Petrol is one of the most common fuels in the world, used to If petrol were used as it is produced, straight from the fractionating column, Reforming, also known as dehydrocyclisation, involves the use of a catalyst it would have a very low octane number and therefore would be unsuitable to form ring compounds from straight chain alkanes. Hydrogen is formed fuel automobiles and other mechanical engines. In this lesson for its purpose. To prevent knocking or self ignition, additives must be as a very valuable by-product. An alkane is converted to a cycloalkane and Since January 2000 all cars in we will look at how petrol is produced and additives are used Ireland must undergo a test called added to the petrol. In the past small amounts of tetraethyl lead Pb(C2H5) then to an aromatic compound. Aromatic compounds have far greater to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly. were used. However, this was found to be extremely damaging to the octane numbers than alkanes and therefore are more suitable to be used the National Car Test [NCT]. This What is petrol? environment and so onlyAdditives unleaded petrol has arebeen in neededuse in Ireland since to preventfor petrol. knocking What is reforming?test was introduced to improve Petrol is extracted by the fractional distillation of crude oil (petroleum). 2000. To increase the octane number of the fuel, other techniques had road safety and to reduce harmful The National Car Testing Service FractionalPetrol distillation is one isof a processthe most used tocommon separate a mixturefuels of in different the world, to used be introduced. to SuchIf techniques petrol were now used include as isomerisation, it is produced, catalytic straight from the fractionating column, Reforming, also known as dehydrocyclisation,emissions and involvesto comply the usewith of a catalyst liquids, based on their different boiling points. The different components cracking, reforming and itadding would oxygenates have a very to petrol. low octane number and thereforeWhat arewould oxygenates? be unsuitable to form ring compounds from straightthe EU chainDirective alkanes. 96/96/EC Hydrogen which is formed arefuel called automobiles fractions. Crude oil and is heated other in a mechanicalfurnace and passed engines. through a In this lesson for its purpose. To prevent knocking or self ignition, additives must be as a very valuable by-product. Anmakes alkane car is testing converted compulsory to a cycloalkane in and Since January 2000 all cars in fractioning column. The first gases to be released are small hydrocarbons. An oxygenate is any fuel that contains oxygen. Adding oxygenates, such all EU member states. Ireland must undergo a test called we will look at how petrol is produced and additives are used added to the petrol. In the past small amountsas of methanol tetraethyl (CH leadOH), ethanolPb(C H(C)H OH), or MTBEthen (methylto an aromatictertiary butyl compound. Aromatic compounds have far greater These have the lowest boiling points and would therefore evaporate first. What is isomerisation? 3 2 52 5 Theto next make fraction it tomore come efficientoff is petrol. andPetrol environmentallyis a mixture of about one friendly. were used. However, this was found to be extremelyether), to a fuel damaging is a more environmentally to the friendlyoctane way ofnumbers increasing than a the alkanes andFollowing therefore a competitive are more tender suitable process, to be the used SGS Group was the National Car Test [NCT]. This hundred different hydrocarbons. Diesel is the fifth fraction, released after Isomers are chemical compoundsenvironment which and have so theonly same unleaded number petroland has octanebeen number.in use in Ireland since for petrol. awarded the contract to operate and manage the new car test was introduced to improve naphtha and kerosene. Diesel is harder to vaporise than petrol. This is type of each atom but a different arrangement or structure of atoms. testing service in Ireland. NCTS now operate 43 Test Centres Petrol is extracted by the fractional distillation of crude oil (petroleum).Isomerisation involves altering2000. theTo physicalincrease structure the octane of a compound. number It of the Infuel, Brazil other ethanol techniques made from sugar had cane residues is added to petrol and road safety and to reduce harmful why the two are not interchangeable in car engines. throughout the country. The SGS Group is the world’s largest Fractional distillation is a process used to separate a mixture ofusually different occurs when theto substance be introduced. is heated in theSuch presence techniques of a suitable now includeis called isomerisation, gasohol. Up to catalytic 20% alcohol can be added without any major emissions and to comply with inspection, testing and verification company in the world. liquids, based on their different boiling points. The different componentscatalyst. The shorter andcracking, more branched reforming the alkane and chain adding the higher oxygenates the tomodifications petrol. to the engine. This saves importing fuel and will help the EU Directive 96/96/EC which octane number, so creating isomers with these properties increases their preserve existing reserves. It may also be an alternativeWhat to are petrol. oxygenates?A huge are called fractions. Crude oil is heated in a furnace and passedoctane through number a making them more suitable to be used as petrol. advantage is that it is a renewable resource and is more environmentally While our lesson has been about petrol, the NCT covers makes car testing compulsory in An oxygenate is any fuel that contains oxygen. Adding oxygenates, such fractioning column. The first gases to be released are small hydrocarbons. friendly. many aspects related to the efficient operation and safety all EU member states. as methanol (CH OH), ethanol (C H OH), or MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl These have the lowest boiling points and would therefore evaporate first. What is isomerisation? 3 of cars.2 5 Tests will involve brakes, wheels and tyres, lights, The next fraction to come off is petrol. Petrol is a mixture of about one ether), to a fuel is a more environmentallysteering, electrical friendly systems, way of mirrors, increasing fuel systems a the and many Following a competitive tender process, the SGS Group was Isomers are chemical compounds which haveWhat the happenssame number when and vehicles octane burn number. petrol? other mechanical features of the car. hundred different hydrocarbons. Diesel is the fifth fraction, released after Pentane (C5H12) awarded the contract to operate and manage the new car naphtha and kerosene. Diesel is harder to vaporise than petrol. This is type of each atom but a different arrangementA petrol or engine structure is powered of atoms. by the expansion of combustible fuel (petrol) There are specific standards for exhaust emissions for both testing service in Ireland. NCTS now operate 43 Test Centres Isomerisation involves altering the physical structureinside the engine.of a compound. Hence it is called It an internalIn combustionBrazil ethanol engine. made The from sugar cane residues is added to petrol and why the two are not interchangeable in car engines. petrol and diesel engines which are designed to protect us throughout the country. The SGS Group is the world’s largest usually occurs when the substance is heated incombustion the presence creates of pressure a suitable to move the mechanicalis called components gasohol. of Upthe to 20% alcohol can be added without any major from the harmful effects of exhaust emissions. catalyst. The shorter and more branched the enginealkane in chainorder to the provide higher force the to the wheels.modifications to the engine. This saves importing fuel and will help inspection, testing and verification company in the world. 2-Methylbutaneoctane number, (C5H 12so) creating isomers with theseChemically, properties when increases petrol is theirburned it producespreserve various existing waste gases reserves. It mayThe also NCTS be employ an alternative about 450 to people petrol. who A hugework in roles such While our lesson has been about petrol, the NCT covers octane number making them more suitable toincluding be used carbon as petrol. dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxideadvantage (CO) andis that nitrogen it is a renewableas vehicle resource inspection and is and more customer environmentally service. oxides (NO , NO). It also contains water vapour which is why you can see 2 friendly. many aspects related to the efficient operation and safety exhaust fumes on a cold day. of cars. Tests will involve brakes, wheels and tyres, lights, An anti-pollution device, called a catalytic converter, is located between Find out more about the NCTS and car testing at steering, electrical systems, mirrors, fuel systems and many Fig.1 Petrol pump a vehicle’s engine and tailpipe. Catalytic convertersWhat work happens by facilitating whenwww.ncts.ie vehicles and at www.sciencetechnolgyaction.comburn petrol? other mechanical features of the car. Pentane (C5H12) chemical reactions that reduce the number of pollutants that are emitted. You can also find out more about the SGS Group at What is an octane number? 2,2-Dimethylpropane (C5H12) A petrol engine is powered by www.ie.sgs.comthe expansion of. combustible fuel (petrol) A badly tuned engine produces water, carbon monoxide and carbon in There are specific standards for exhaust emissions for both the form of soot because not enough oxygeninside has been the involvedengine. in Hencethe it is called an internal combustion engine. The In a petrol engine, combustion is triggered by a spark. However, under Fig.2 Isomers of C H 5 12 petrol and diesel engines which are designed to protect us certain temperature and pressure conditions the fuel can ignite process. A tuned engine produces better combustion,combustion resulting creates in less pressure to move the mechanical components of the spontaneously.