NAME: CHIOMA OGA

IMPORTANCE OF HYDROCARBON

Usage
Hydrocarbons are a primary energy source for current civilizations. The predominant use of hydrocarbons is as a combustible fuel source. In their solid form, hydrocarbons take the form of asphalt.[12] Mixtures of volatile hydrocarbons are now used in preference to the chlorofluorocarbons as a propellant for aerosol sprays, due to chlorofluorocarbon's impact on the ozone layer. Methane [1C] and ethane [2C] are gaseous at ambient temperatures and cannot be readily liquefied by pressure alone. Propane [3C] is however easily liquefied, and exists in 'propane bottles' mostly as a liquid. Butane [4C] is so easily liquefied that it provides a safe, volatile fuel for small pocket lighters. Pentane [5C] is a clear liquid at room temperature, commonly used in chemistry and industry as a powerful nearly odorless solvent of waxes and high molecular weight organic compounds, including greases. Hexane [6C] is also a widely used non-polar, non-aromatic solvent, as well as a significant fraction of common gasoline. The [6C] through [10C] alkanes, alkenes and isomeric cycloalkanes are the top components of gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel and specialized industrial solvent mixtures. With the progressive addition of carbon units, the simple non-ring structured hydrocarbons have higher viscosities, lubricating indices, boiling points, solidification temperatures, and deeper color. At the opposite extreme from [1C] methane lie the heavy tars that remain as the lowest fraction in a crude oil refining retort. They are collected and widely utilized as roofing compounds, pavement composition, wood preservatives (the creosote series) and as extremely high viscosity sheer-resisting liquids.

Burning hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are currently the main source of the worlds electric energy and heat sources (such as home heating) because of the energy produced when burnt.[13] Often this energy is used directly as heat such as in home heaters, which use either petroleum or natural gas. The hydrocarbon is burnt and the heat is used to heat water, which is then circulated. A similar principle is used to create electric energy in power plants. Common properties of hydrocarbons are the facts that they produce steam, carbon dioxide and heat during combustion and that oxygen is required for combustion to take place. The simplest hydrocarbon, methane, burns as follows: CH4 + 2 O2 2 H2O + CO2 + Energy In inadequate supply of air, CO gas and water vapour are formed: 2 CH4 + 3 O2 2CO + 4H2O Another example of this property is propane: C3H8 + 5 O2 4 H2O + 3 CO2 + Energy CnH2n+2 + (3n+1)/2 O2 (n+1) H2O + n CO2 + Energy Burning of hydrocarbons is an example of an exothermic chemical reaction. Hydrocarbons can also be burned with elemental fluorine, resulting in carbon tetrafluoride and hydrogen fluoride products