Hydrocarbonetos

by Sérgio Granato de Araújo

  

Hydrocarbons are a group of organic compounds made up of carbon & hydrogen, the main components of petroleum (crude oil) & natural gas (NG).  They're used as fuels & lubricants, as well as raw materials for plastics, fibers, rubbers, solvents, explosives, and industrial chemicals.

 

High calorific value

  

Hydrocarbons have a high calorific value and burn easily, releasing significant heat, which makes them excellent fuels.  However, they can be highly unstable and may spontaneously ignite in hot, dry conditions.  Many hydrocarbons are also toxic & carcinogenic, such as benzene (C6H6).

  

Essential for the today's economy, but

  

Our economy is still primarily dependent on hydrocarbons and other fossil fuels such as oil.  In the form of fuel, hydrocarbons continue to be the main engine of human activities.  The C6 thru C12 alkanes & isomeric cycloalkanes are the top components of gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel, and specialized industrial solvent mixtures.  Unfortunately, extracting and using them pollutes the soil, ocean, and atmosphere, leading to climate change.

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The decline of hydrocarbons

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World energy outlook shows a drop in demand for hydrocarbons from 2020 to 2050 (Figure 1).