Hydrocarbons in daily life

As part of their studies of biochemistry and oil refining this term the Year 11 Chemistry students visited the Beach Energy Otway gas plant. Sue Dwyer conducted an induction session on site stressing that safety was everyone’s duty and then students donned safety vests, glasses and gloves before joining Trevor Van Andel on a tour of the plant. Students learnt that the gas plant is mainly producing methane, ethane, propane and butane and the liquids (condensate) are then sent off for further refining into petrol. This was a wonderful opportunity for the class to reinforce their understanding of hydrocarbons and fractional distillation evidenced in the oil extraction process at this plant. What a interesting community we live in!