|
Hydrocarbons in Fossil Fuels
| Name |
|
Molecular
Formula |
|
Boiling
Point
(oC) |
|
State at
25oC |
| methane |
|
CH4 |
|
-164 |
|
gas |
Natural Gas is composed
mainly of methane, but also may contain small quantities of ethane,
propane, and butane. After refining, it is almost pure methane
as it is moved by pipeline to commercial users and homes. In
most areas of the country, natural gas is the fuel of choice
for combustion and conversion into energy for residential use.
It is burned in the furnace, hot water tank, clothes dryer, and
stove. |
| ethane |
|
C2H6 |
|
-89 |
|
|
| propane |
|
C3H8 |
|
-42 |
|
|
Propane in small tanks is the gas used for mobile applications
such as campers and Bar-B-Q.
LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas, contains propane and butane
and finds uses in larger tanks in rural areas for residential
use. |
| butane |
|
C4H10 |
|
-0.5 |
|
|
Butane is the fuel in cigarette lighters. A flint or piezo
electric spark ignites the butane gas vapor. |
| pentane |
|
C5H12 |
|
36 |
|
liquid |
| hexane |
|
C6H14 |
|
69 |
|
|
| heptane |
|
C7H16 |
|
98 |
|
|
Naphthas are a general name given to the the C5 - C7 hydrocarbons.
These may be found in a variety of solvents for paint, paint
thinners, and Bar-B-Q lighter fluids. These are easily vaporized
and highly combustible. |
| octane |
|
C8H18 |
|
125 |
|
|
| nonane |
|
C9H20 |
|
151 |
|
|
| decane |
|
C10H22 |
|
174 |
|
|
Gasoline is a mixture of
many straight chain, branched, and aromatic hydrocarbon molecules
in the range of C7 through C11 or 12. |
| undecane |
|
C11H24 |
|
196 |
|
|
| dodecane |
|
C12H26 |
|
216 |
|
|
Kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuel contain hydrocarbons
in the range of C12 to C20. Fuel Oil has a range of hydrocarbons
of C20 to C40. |
| eicosane |
|
C20H42 |
|
343 |
|
solid |
| triacontane |
|
C30H62 |
|
450 |
|
solid |
Tar and asphalt bitumen, which are solids, contain hydrocarbons
in the range of C40 to C70. |
|
| |
| |
|
