mnemonic for fractional distillation of crude oil mnemonic for fractional distillation of crude oil

As the gases rise through the tower, the temperature decreases. Alternatively, pour out the glass beads to be cleaned separately. This is good. Atmospheric crude distillation unit. Ideally both liquid and gas should be seen in the fractionating column, as the sample needs to undergo many vaporization-condensation events (Figures 5.44 c+d). Glass bead column: rinse with acetone, then replace the glass wool wad to prevent the beads from pouring out when horizontal. [5] It is this cooling with the height of the tower that allows for the separation. Crude oil fractions are actually mixtures of many different chemicals, but the fraction as a whole will have a pretty reliable boiling point. Rhys Baker (author) from Peterborough, UK on February 22, 2012: Thank-you, claudiafox. Diagram of a fractional distillation tower, showing where the different fractions will condense. The column is hot at the bottom and cool at the top. Some are useful as fuels and others are used as feedstock raw materials for the petrochemical industry where they are used to make products such as polymers, solvents and detergents. One day, a giant was seen leaping (LPG) over a petrol/ gasoline station (petrol/ gasoline). Out of all the fractions, bitumen has the highest boiling point and is collected at the very bottom of the fractionating column. As the vapour travels up the column, it cools. Petrol/ gasoline 3. Jet fuel (kerosene) is the fourth fraction of crude oil to be distilled. Yet another recovery - This time, unexplained Vertigo, Official Imperial Postgraduate 2023 Applicants Thread. Remembering the order of the fractions of crude oil Within the fractionating column, crude oil is split into the following fractions: 1. The worksheets could be used for individual student work in class or at home. The physics of restoration and conservation, RSC Yusuf Hamied Inspirational Science Programme, How to prepare for the Chemistry Olympiad, In context worksheet - Crude oil - Foundation - Student, In context worksheet - Crude oil - Foundation - Teacher, In context worksheet - Crude oil - Higher - Student, In context worksheet - Crude oil - Higher - Teacher, Knowledge check worksheet - Crude oil - Foundation - Student, Knowledge check worksheet - Crude oil - Foundation - Teacher, Knowledge check worksheet - Crude oil - Higher - Student, Knowledge check worksheet - Crude oil - Higher - Teacher, Unit 2: CHEMICAL BONDING, APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 2.5 CRUDE OIL, FUELS AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, (a) crude oil as a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that was formed over millions of years from the remains of simple marine organisms, (b) the fractional distillation of crude oil, (c) fractions as containing mixtures of hydrocarbons (alkanes) with similar boiling points, (d) the trends in properties of fractions with increasing chain length and the effect on their usefulness as fuels, (e) the global economic and political importance and social and environmental impact of the oil industry, (k) the general formula CH for alkanes and CH for alkenes, (l) the names and molecular and structural formulae for simple alkanes and alkenes, 5.5 CRUDE OIL, FUELS AND CARBON COMPOUNDS. A jet pulled up alongside the car as it had run out of fuel, waking the baby. Little Peter Parrot Digs Holes For Blondes - a mnemonic to remember the fractions in order of their boiling points. There are several different types of these, such as London dispersion forces and permanent dipole-permanent dipole interactions that include hydrogen bonding. Official Manchester Metropolitan University Applicant Chat & FAQ Thread 2021. I learned new things. In general, shorter chain hydrocarbons are more useful than longer chains. \(^{11}\)About \(6\%\) of crude oil contains hydrocarbons with greater than 40 carbon atoms, a fraction that eventually becomes used for asphalt. LPG 2. Alternatively, print and hand it out. The whole process hinges around boiling points, intermolecular forces and intramolecular forces. Fractional distillation is the most common form of separation technology used in petroleum refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants, natural gas processing and cryogenic air separation plants. Put the poster up in your classroom or display it on a projector. Teachers will need to assess whether this activity can be done as a class experiment or as a demonstration. Don't rinse with water as wet steel will rust over time. How to develop your students distillation knowledge and practical skills, Use these exam-style questions to check your learners understanding of experimental skills and strategies, Introduce your students to some applications ofdecomposition reactions: clean energy, bleach and baking, Everything you need to help your post-16 students understand orbitals and shells, Five steps to confidence for your post-16 learners, Use this step-by-step approach to help your 1416 students master ions. Fractional distillation of crude oil takes place in a fractionating column.This is a huge chamber, typically eight meters wide and forty meters high. Thanks for that Marie! use appropriate scales and axes labels when plotting a graph of experimental data; plot data points accurately and draw the appropriate straight line or curve; Unit 2: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry. This page titled 5.3C: Uses of Fractional Distillation is shared under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lisa Nichols via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request. Fractional distillation separates a mixture into a number of different parts, called fractions. Deborah Anifowose from Luton Bedfordshire on July 10, 2012: I felt refreshed after reading that. { "5.3A:_Theory_of_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3B:_Fractionating_Columns" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3C:_Uses_of_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3D:_Step-by-Step_Procedures_for_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, { "5.01:_Overview_of_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.02:_Simple_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.03:_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.04:_Vacuum_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.05:_Steam_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.06:_Rotary_Evaporation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, 5.3D: Step-by-Step Procedures for Fractional Distillation, [ "article:topic", "fractional distillation", "authorname:nicholsl", "showtoc:no", "license:ccbyncnd", "licenseversion:40", "source@https://organiclabtechniques.weebly.com/" ], https://chem.libretexts.org/@app/auth/3/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fchem.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FOrganic_Chemistry%2FOrganic_Chemistry_Lab_Techniques_(Nichols)%2F05%253A_Distillation%2F5.03%253A_Fractional_Distillation%2F5.3D%253A_Step-by-Step_Procedures_for_Fractional_Distillation, \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}}}\) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\), source@https://organiclabtechniques.weebly.com/. Infographic poster, fact sheet and differentiated synoptic question worksheets. 4c Plot two variables from experimental or other data. C3.4 Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials? Flashbang Science does not condone this sort of behaviour, in fact actively discourages it! Crude Oil is useless until we separate this mixture using fractional distillation. The different hydrocarbons in crude oil must be separated in order to be useful. Fractional Distillation Tower Design For Crude Oil Pdf This is likewise one of the factors by obtaining the soft documents of this Fractional Distillation Tower Design For Crude Oil Pdf by online. 14. . 9. know that alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, 10. understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil. Fractional Distillation: Definition & Examples, Process - StudySmarter US As the vapour rises up the column, the temperature falls. Why does the quiz say bitumen is used to fuel cars? The jet couldnt be helped so a large diesel (diesel) truck had to drag it back to the airport, but there was a large oil (lubricating oil) spill on the way. As a result, the smaller fractions are in high demand. As shorter chain molecules are more flammable (and burn with a cleaner flame) these are in higher demand. Also, as all fossil fuels contain carbon, the burning of any fossil fuel will contribute to. Droplets of liquid should be seen in the fractional column, but there should never be a large pool of liquid (flooding). (May 26, 2015).Energy and the Environment, 2nd ed. New cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030. When it comes to the fractional distillation of crude oil, steamed hot water is used to boil the liquid in order to separate the distillates, and because crude oil is a complex liquid, there are many distillates that are obtained over a range of temperatures; the most popular are petrol, diesel, gas oil or red diesel and kerosene. 5.7.1 Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock, 5.7.1.1 Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes, Most of the hydrocarbons in crude oil are hydrocarbons called alkanes. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. It is used in domestic boilers, cookers and Bunsen burners, as well as in some power stations. Long-chain hydrocarbons Find my revision workbooks here: https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/workbooksIn this video, we look at how the hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated by f. 2023 AQA gcse lit predictions guys?? Catherine is head of science at the Hinckley School, an 1118 academy in Leicestershire. Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation Units | FSC 432: Petroleum Refining Any mnemonics or anything to help me remember? (between Gasoline and Kerosine), how about real guns NEVER kill deer by firing LARGE (lubricating oil) bullets..:\, What about lubricating fraction? There was such a blaze that the flames began to melt the tarmac (bitumen). At this temperature, most of the hydrocarbons in the crude oil mixture boil and turn into gas. Distillation of crude oil is carried out in two units, first in an Atmospheric Distillation Unit (also known as Crude Distillation Unit, CDU), with further processing of the residue from atmospheric distillation in the Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU), as illustrated in Figure 4.2. Fractional distillation of crude oil - Oil and cracking - GCSE Kerosene is also called paraffin in some areas of the world and is used in lamps, Diesel: used as a fuel for cars, vans, lorries and trains, Fuel oil: used as a fuel for ships, for heating and in power stations, Residue (bitumen): used to surface roads and for sealing roofs. Production of refinery gas, light gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, gas oil and residue fractions. { "5.3A:_Theory_of_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3B:_Fractionating_Columns" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3C:_Uses_of_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.3D:_Step-by-Step_Procedures_for_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, { "5.01:_Overview_of_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.02:_Simple_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.03:_Fractional_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.04:_Vacuum_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.05:_Steam_Distillation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "5.06:_Rotary_Evaporation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, [ "article:topic", "fractional distillation", "petroleum refining", "authorname:nicholsl", "showtoc:no", "license:ccbyncnd", "licenseversion:40", "source@https://organiclabtechniques.weebly.com/" ], https://chem.libretexts.org/@app/auth/3/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fchem.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FOrganic_Chemistry%2FOrganic_Chemistry_Lab_Techniques_(Nichols)%2F05%253A_Distillation%2F5.03%253A_Fractional_Distillation%2F5.3C%253A_Uses_of_Fractional_Distillation, \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}}}\) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\), 5.3D: Step-by-Step Procedures for Fractional Distillation, source@https://organiclabtechniques.weebly.com/. He did this to warn a lady about the dangers of smoking. The general formula for the homologous series of alkanes is CH, 4.7.1.2 Fractional distillation and petrochemicals. The steps of fractional distillation are as follows: You heat the mixture of two or more substances (liquids) with different boiling points to a high temperature. Anyone else applied for History MA at UCL? Recall that crude oil is a main source of hydrocarbons and is a feedstock for the petrochemical industry. Within the fractionating column, crude oil is split into the following fractions: Below is a story to help you remember the order of these fractions. Crude oil can be separated into different fractions using fractional distillation. Hydrocarbons have different uses depending on their properties. was formed from the remains of ancient forests. Crude Oil is one of three types of fossil fuel, the other two being Gas and Coal, and is arguably the most useful. The alkenes can then undergo polymerisation to make polymers (such as plastics) while the shorter alkanes are typically used for fuel. 11 About 6 % of crude oil contains hydrocarbons with greater than 40 carbon atoms, a fraction that eventually becomes used for asphalt. Try again, If you got 2 correct answers: 2/4 - lukewarm, but not great, If you got 3 correct answers: 3/4 - things are hotting up! 5.8 - Recall the names and uses of the main fracti. Substances with high boiling points condense at the bottom and substances with lower boiling points condense on the way to the top. Very informative, thanks. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (A Level only), 6.1 Properties of Period 3 Elements & their Oxides (A Level only), 6.2.1 General Properties of Transition Metals, 6.3 Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solution (A Level only), 7. Right next to the petrol/ gasoline station, the lady was using a lighter (lighter fuel) to light a cigarette while her baby napped (naphtha) in the car. Adapt the diagram so that it only includes . Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. 1) They are a series of compounds with the general formula CnH2n+1. These physical processes do not involve chemical reactions and no new substances are made. Also, as all fossil fuels contain carbon, the burning of any fossil fuel will contribute to global warming due to the production of carbon dioxide. Crude oil was refined successfully in the atmospheric distillation unit with a capacity of 66 m/hr, two variables were investigated on refining of crude oil: Heat up the crude oil (300, 305 and . Fractional distillation is a physical process and not a chemical one, so no covalent bonds are broken. Fractional distillation of crude oil Fractional distillation separates a mixture into a number of different parts, called fractions. Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. Crude oil exits from the desalter at temperature of 250 C-260 C and is further heated by a tube-still heater to a temperature of 350 C-360 C. Each fraction that condenses off at a certain level contains hydrocarbon molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms. HELP!! The many hydrocarbons in crude oil may be separated into fractions, each of which contains molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms, by fractional distillation. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons. University of Manchester pharmacy interview 2023, 2023 ** Borders and Enforcement, Crime & Compliance - ICE - Immigration Officers, Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) thread, Anyone up for providing exclusive service tn, Cambridge with no Scholarship Vs St. Andrews with full scholarship, Labour left abandons Diane Abbott in antisemitism row, Offer for job is 2:1 but not sure if I will get 2:2. Small molecules have very small forces of attraction between them and are easy to break by heating. Some properties of hydrocarbons depend on the size of their molecules, including boiling point, viscosity and flammability. 5.12 - I recall that fractional distillation of cr. Crude Oil is a liquid fossil fuel that is very viscous and black in appearance (it also stinks to high heaven). The majority of our fuels and plastics are derived from oil. [CDATA[ Very short chain hydrocarbons have a boiling point so low they do not condense within the fractionating column and are separated from the top of the column as gases. Cyclopentadiene is used in many chemical reactions, including Diels-Alder reactions and polymerizations. Very good. If using a Vigreux column, check for broken glass indentations (which would case a leak in the column). (LPG, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, diesel oil, lubricating oil, fuel oil, bitumen) 0. It is used in domestic boilers, cookers and Bunsen burners, as well as in some power stations. Once the temperature of the column falls below the boiling point of a hydrocarbon in the mixture, it is no longer hot enough for the hydrocarbon to stay in gaseous form. The fractions with high boiling points (long chain hydrocarbons) condense and are collected at the bottom of the column. Toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic and an environmental disaster waiting to happen. What are the most competative courses at Cardiff university? Victoria [student] on September 10, 2019: i have to do a presentation about this and it helped a lot :) THANKS!!! The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. The LibreTexts libraries arePowered by NICE CXone Expertand are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot. life. Crude oil is a mixture of many different compounds. it was too confusing I just wanted to find out how alkenes are produced through fractional distillation I'm ver sad now. Atmospheric distillation of crude oil - Wikipedia It is assumed that readers have previously performed a simple distillation, so in this section are described differences between simple and fractional distillation. 3) Most of gases at room temperature (twenty degrees celsius), some are liquids, none are solids. Many of the fuels on which we depend for our modern lifestyle, such as petrol, diesel oil, kerosene, heavy fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gases, are produced from crude oil. For each question, choose the best answer. One general way is by dividing into three categories: light, middle, and heavy fractions. At the very top of the tower are the gases that are too volatile to condense,such as propane and butane. Fractional distillation is also used to separate nitrogen and oxygen from air. 4.7.1 Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock. At temperatures above \(150^\text{o} \text{C}\) the dimer reverts to the monomer through a retro Diels-Alder reaction (driven by the favorable change in entropy, Figure 5.42c). As you can see in the video opposite, cracking needs a catalyst and a high temperature. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course, Aqa gcse chemistry paper 2 november 2020 Higher Sep. unofficial markscheme, Chemistry and Physics questions IMMEDIATE HELP, OCR GCSE Chemistry Paper 4 (Higher tier) J248/04 - 20 Jun 2022 [Exam Chat], Chemical Engineering Related Books to Read, How to get help with all your 2023 exams on The Student Room, How can securitisation be used on the crude oil market. The separation of these components takes place productively with the help of the distillation process. Chemistry GCSE Crude Oil; Aqa gcse chemistry paper 2 november 2020 Higher Sep. unofficial markscheme; Chemistry and Physics questions IMMEDIATE HELP; Everything you need to teach fractional distillation This gives them a high boiling point. The fractional distillation process starts by heating up the material to over 400 degrees Celsius in order to vaporize it. Vigreux column: rinse with acetone. As such the world turns on the price of oil, and countries have grown fabulously wealthy, and even gone to war, over this thick black gloop. Lesson Video: Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil | Nagwa and its vapours condense at different temperatures in the fractionating column. Rhys Baker (author) from Peterborough, UK on May 31, 2012: Woops! Foundation and higher level worksheets are available and fully editable versions give you the flexibility to select the questions most relevant to a particular lesson. Most comments for a simple distillation apply to fractional as well. Therefore, a fractional distillation is required for this process. Fractional distillation separates a mixture into a number of different parts, called, A tall fractionating column is fitted above the mixture, with several condensers coming off at different heights. What is the difference between distillation and cracking? Crude oil is the remains of an ancient biomass consisting mainly of plankton that was buried in mud. WS.3.5 Interpreting observations and other data (presented in verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, symbolic or numerical form), including identifying patterns and trends, making inferences and drawing conclusions. Accessibility StatementFor more information contact us atinfo@libretexts.org. The general formula for the homologous series of alkanes is CH, 5.7.1.2 Fractional distillation and petrochemicals, 5.1 Atomic structure and the periodic table, 5.1.1 A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes. Thanks. To solve this supply-and-demand problem, we use a process called catalytic cracking to break the long chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful, hydrocarbons. It mainly consists of hydrocarbons - molecules made only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The air is first liquefied by cooling to below -200C then the gases are separated based on their boiling points (nitrogen -196C and oxygen -183C).