Crude oil, the dark, viscous liquid extracted from beneath the Earth's surface, serves as the lifeblood of modern industry. Saturated Hydrocarbons: The Paraffins The most common family of hydrocarbons in many crude oils is the paraffins, also known as alkanes.
From Ancient Plankton to Crude Oil: The Biological Origins of Hydrocarbons
Furthermore, trace amounts of metals like nickel and vanadium, picked up from the rock formations surrounding the oil reservoir, are found in the mixture. Paraffins are typically the primary component of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Nitrogen and oxygen compounds, collectively known as nitrogenates and oxides, can affect the viscosity and stability of the fuel. This raw material, once refined, becomes the gasoline, diesel, and plastics that shape contemporary life, making the study of its composition essential.
From Ancient Plankton to Crude Oil: The Biological Origins
Plankton and algae thrived in ancient oceans, and when they died, their bodies sank to the seafloor. These molecules are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms, making them very stable and clean-burning.
More About What is oil made of
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