CRUDE OIL

Oil is a homogeneous mixture of various Hydrocarbons of saturates and ring structures. The average ultimate composition of Petroleum is mainly given in terms of constituents of Hydrocarbons. Mainly carbon and Hydrogen as follows: Carbon !" # !$ % Hydrogen && # &" % Composition of Crude Oil : The bul' of Petroleum is made up of Hydrocarbons of saturated compounds li'e paraffins (apthenes and unsaturated cyclic compounds mainly aromatics. Paraffins :# Cn H)n *) is the +eneral formula of paraffins first three compounds are gases while compounds upto C&$ are li,uids and beyond that they assume semisolid consistency well beyond C-. they assume shape of solid bloc's/ sometimes even crystalline forms. Olefins :# Olefins are represented by the general formula CnH )n. The first four are gases and upto C&0 are li,uids and beyond C&0 are solids. The boiling points of olefins are generally lower by few degrees than the saturated compounds of the same carbon number. Chemically these differ very much from paraffins. These unsaturates are mainly formed during crac'ing operations. They are generally absent in crude. Alkynes :# The general formula for this series is CnH )n#). These are isomeric with olefins 1cetylenes can readily be Hydrogenerated to give stable compounds these are generally absent in crude. Napthenes :# These are saturated ring compounds bearing the general formula CnH)n. The prominency of ring structure starts with five carbon atoms although C- and C" ring structures/ are in existence/ their stability is decreased because of excessive strain. (aphthens are isomeric with olefins but differ profoundly in properties. (apthenes exhibit both the properties of saturated paraffins and unsaturated aromatics. Aromatics:# The first and smallest of the aromatics is 2en3ene/ other simple aromatics to follow are Toluene/ 4ylene/ Cumene etc. 5ven though 2en3ene is unsaturated/ yet it follows the principle of substitution with Halogens other than addition. The general formula for 1romatics is CnH6)n # $7. INORGANICS : Sulfur Compounds :# 8ulfur is found in most of the crudes in variable amounts. +enerally 8ulfur compounds are present in more ,uantity in Higher boiling stoc's. 9sually the 8ulfur content in crude does not exceed 0%. 8ulfur in crude occurs in different forms li'e free 8ulfur/ Hydrogen 8ulfide/ Mercaptans and Thiophenes. heavier fractions contains 8ulfides. Polysulfides/ 8ulphonates and 8ulphates. 8ulfur occupies prominent position in refining due to its ominous problems of corrosion and odour. Oxygen And Nitrogen :# Oxygen and (itrogen do not occur in free state either in crudes or in fractions. (itrogen presence in free form is well 'nown in natural gas only. Oxygen occurs as oxygenated compounds li'e Phenols/ Cresols/ (apthenic 1cids/ 8ulphonates. 8ulphates and 8ulfoxides. (itrogen exists in the form of indoles/ pyridines/ ,uinolines and 1mines/ usually below )% (itrogen is present in two forms basic and non#basic. Other Inorganics :#The other elements present are (ic'le/ :anadium/ ;ron/ 8ilica/ 8odium/ Magnesium and Halogens etc. The ash formation is mainly due to these metals and inorganics.