Fossil Fuels

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.

adapted from www.elmhurst.edu