11.2.2 Petroleum
Petroleum is a dark brownish or greenish black coloured viscous liquid. It is a complex mixture of several solid, liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons in water mixed with salts and earth particles.
Petroleum is a main source of organic compounds. It consists of several compounds mainly hydrocarbons. These compounds are separated by fractional distillation (separation of fractions or components depending upon their boiling point ranges). These fractions and their uses are provided in table 16.1 in chapter 16. Each fraction is not a single compound, rather each of it consists of different organic compounds.
11.2.3 Natural Gas
It is a mixture of low molecular mass hydrocarbons. The main component about is methane, along with other gases: ethane, propane and butane. Its origin is similar to that of coal and petroleum. Therefore, it is found with their deposits as shown in figure 11.3. Natural gas is used as fuel in homes as well as in industries. It is used as fuel in automobiles as compressed natural gas (CNG). Natural gas is also used to make carbon black and fertilizer.