Heavy Hydrocarbon

Heavy hydrocarbons are a category of organic chemical compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These compounds have longer carbon chains and a higher number of carbon atoms compared to light hydrocarbons. As a result, they typically exhibit a higher boiling point, greater viscosity, and higher density.

Characteristics of Heavy Hydrocarbons

1. High Molecular Weight: Due to the larger number of carbon atoms, these compounds have a higher molecular weight compared to lighter hydrocarbons.
2. High Boiling Point: These compounds generally have a higher boiling point than light hydrocarbons due to their larger molecular structure.
3. High Viscosity: Heavy hydrocarbons have longer carbon chains, which result in higher viscosity, often appearing as thick liquids or even solids.
4. Insolubility in Water: Because of their non-polar nature, these compounds are typically insoluble in water.

Applications of Heavy Hydrocarbons

1. Fuels: Heavy hydrocarbons are used in the production of fuels such as diesel, fuel oil, and certain types of gasoline.
2. Petrochemical Industry: These compounds serve as raw materials for the production of various chemicals, plastics, rubbers, and other petrochemical products.
3. Lubricants: Due to their high viscosity, heavy hydrocarbons are used in the production of various types of lubricating oils.
4. Asphalt and Bitumen: Certain heavy hydrocarbons are used in the production of bitumen and asphalt for road construction and roofing.

These compounds are extracted from various sources, including crude oil and natural gas, and undergo refining processes such as distillation, cracking, and purification in refineries to be converted into final products.

Heavy hydrocarbons, classified as one of the intermediate distillate fuels in refineries, are among the most significant products derived from crude oil fractions. The carbon chains of these hydrocarbons contain more than 12 carbon atoms, with a boiling point range between 150°C to 380°C.

The density of these hydrocarbons exceeds 810 kg/m³, and their flash point is between 50°C to 55°C. Notable characteristics of these compounds include large molecular structures, low volatility, and lower flammability compared to lighter fractions.

Production and Refining Process of Heavy Hydrocarbons

To produce hydrocarbons from crude oil, the crude oil is first desalted and deacidified (sweetening process). It then undergoes fractional distillation, where different hydrocarbon are separated based on their boiling points. In this process, crude oil is heated to 400°C and then pumped to the bottom of the distillation column.

• Lighter and smaller molecules move towards the top of the column, where they condense into liquid form and are directed to storage tanks.
• Heavier and larger molecules remain at the bottom due to their high density.

The products obtained from this process undergo further isomerization, cracking, and other refining techniques, which alter the size and structure of hydrocarbon molecules to create more useful products. Additionally, heavy hydrocarbons can be transformed into more valuable materials through complex and costly refining processes.

Applications of Heavy Hydrocarbons

Heavy hydrocarbons are widely used for:

1. Heat Generation: Used in boilers and furnaces for industrial and domestic heating systems.
2. Fuel for Heavy Vehicles: Used in ships, trucks, and other heavy-duty transportation.
3. Lubricating Oils: Heavy hydrocarbons, especially paraffinic hydrocarbons, are used in high molecular weight oils and paraffins.
4. Alternative Fuel Source: Used as a substitute fuel in areas where natural gas is unavailable, such as greenhouses.
5. Detergent Synthesis: Hydrocarbons with more than 10 carbon atoms (C10 and above) have low octane numbers, making them unsuitable for gasoline but highly valuable for detergent production.
6. Backup Fuel for Power Plants: Used as a reserve fuel for power plants when natural gas supply is unavailable.

Although heavy hydrocarbons serve as an alternative energy source, they are more polluting and more expensive compared to natural gas.