Tag: Fossil fuel

Introduction

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon (compounds of carbon and hydrogen)-containing substances that form naturally (in nature) on the earth’s surface (earth’s crust). They are made up of the remains of dead (not alive) plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that are extracted (absorbed) and buried under the soil before being burned as fuel. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are examples of well-known and widely used fossil fuels (or fuels). Coal seams are rock strata (stone) that form coal (charcoal) seams. When dead (not alive) plant matter (flora) decays (decomposes) into peat (an accumulation of partially decayed organisms), it is converted (transformed) into coal (charcoal) by heat (H) and pressure (P).

There are four stages involved in coal generation or formation: 

1. Peat 
2. Lignite 
3. Bituminous 
4. Anthracite

These stages (steps) are determined by the conditions in which they were buried. Coal has many applications in our lives, including home and commercial heating, the production of medicines and tars, and so on. Petroleum (also known as crude oil) is formed or produced from the decomposing remains of ancient marine organisms like bacteria, plants, and algae. Petroleum is used to produce heat and electricity, as well as a lubricant.

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What exactly are fossil fuels?

Fossil fuel is a type of hydrocarbon-containing substance that occurs or is produced naturally on the earth’s surface from the dead remains of plants and animals, which are extracted and burned as fuel. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are three of the most common and widely used fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are sometimes burned to provide heat for direct use in cooking and heating. Additionally, fossil fuels are used to power engines and generate electricity.

The anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms containing organic-type molecules generated by photosynthesis is the origin of fossil fuels. And the conversion of these substances to fossil fuels necessitates or is the result of a geological process that takes millions of years. Fossil fuels are extremely important for humanity and development because they can be easily burned in the open atmosphere to produce heat. However, the excessive use or exploitation of fossil fuels by humans is also very harmful to the environment.

How Is Coal Made?

Coal is a black, solid, combustible fossil fuel. Coal contains a significant amount of carbon. Coal formation is a slow and gradual process that takes millions of years. And coal formation begins or begins in muddy wetlands where groundwater is near or slightly above the topsoil. Because of this condition, the flora presents there produces organic matter at a faster rate. The layers of organic materials are then accumulated and buried. These layers combine to form coal. The energy in coal is derived from sunlight, which is harvested by dead plants.

Although there are two major stages in the formation of coal, they are peatification and coalification. Peat (accumulation of partially decayed organisms) formation occurs as a result of bacterial activities, and the main factors in coalification are exceeding temperature and pressure from burial.

Coal Formation Stages

There are four stages in the coal formation and, they are peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite. These stages are determined by the conditions to which the remains (plant) are subjected (forced) after being placed inside or buried. The higher the ranking of coals, the greater the amount of heat and pressure applied.

1. Peat is the first stage in the formation of coal. In general, plant matter is oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). However, if plant materials accumulate underwater (inside the water), oxygen (O2) is not available or present, and only partial (slight) decomposition occurs. This incomplete (partial) destruction (decomposition) results in the accumulation of peat, an organic (natural) substance (material).
2. The lignite-The second stage of coal formation, in which peat (first step) is subjected (forced) to increase vertical pressure (p) from collecting sediments. It is widely available, but it is only used as coal when a more (higher) efficient fuel (fossil) is unavailable.
3. Bituminous-The third stage in the formation of coal. Adding pressure, compacting (small area), and virtually (mostly) all traces of flora (plant life) have vanished or vanished. This type of coal can be found in Cape Breton and is also present in our most abundant fuel.
4. Anthracite-This is the fourth and final stage in the formation of coal. This is also known as ‘hard coal,’ because it is hard (strong) and has a high luster. The combination of high pressure and temperature causes this to form.

Coal Applications

1. Coal is used for a variety of purposes, including domestic and industrial fuel.
2. Electricity is generated or produced using this device.
3. It is also used as a fuel in automobiles.
4. It is used in the manufacture or preparation of cement, carbon fibers, medicines, and other products.
5. Furthermore, it’s also used in the steel industry to make steel and other metals.

Summary

Fossil fuel is a type of hydrocarbon-containing substance that occurred or is produced naturally on the earth’s surface from the dead remains of plants and animals, which are extracted and burned as fuel. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are three of the most common and widely used fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are sometimes burned to provide heat for direct use in cooking and heating. Additionally, fossil fuels are used to power engines and generate electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly do you mean by “fossil fuels”?

Ans. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing substances (materials) that formed naturally (in nature) on the earth’s surface (earth’s crust). They are made up of the remains (leftovers) of dead plants and animals that are extracted, buried, and burned as fuel.

2. What causes the production of fossil fuels?

Ans. The anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) decomposition of buried dead organisms is the origin (point of generation) of fossil fuels (plants or animals).

3. Name the stages of coal formation.

Ans. The four stages of coal formation are peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite.

Introduction

Coal appears to be a dense carbon-rich substance that is brown/black and formed in layered sedimentary rock. This is one of the most important major fossil fuels. It is said to contain half of the total carbon-containing substance by weight generated by the compression and stiffening of modified plant residues, primarily peat settlements. Because of differences in plant matter, the extent of coalification, and the impurity spectrum, there are many types of coal. French explorers and fur traders discovered North American coal seams near the coast of Grand Lake in southern New Brunswick, Canada, in the 1600s. Coal deposits were discovered wherever rivers flowed deeper into the lake, but they were also excavated by hand from the surface, and caves cut into the rock. Coal is not the most abundant fossil fuel, but it has the longest history.

What do you understand by coal?

Coal appears to be a shiny black rock. Coal contains a tremendous amount of energy. When coal is burned, it emits both heat and light energy. The cave dwellers used coal for warmth, but ultimately for cooking. It could have been very simple to burn because it worked better than wood and did not need to be retrieved as frequently. People began using coal to heat their homes in the 1800s. Coal was used as a fuel source for both trains and ships. Nowadays, coal is primarily used to generate electricity. The four primary types or grades of coal are peat, anthracite, lignite, and bituminous coal.

What is the Coal Story?

As they died, the plants sank to the bottom of the wetlands. Throughout the years, excessive amounts of vegetation have been coated in dirt and water. They had been compressed by the weight. The heat and pressure eventually converted these plants into coal. Because coal is produced by plants, and plants obtain their energy from the sun, the power in coal is also derived from the sun. Coal, as we know it today, formed over millions of years. We can’t even produce that much in such a short amount of time. This is why coal is considered non-renewable.

How is Coal Obtained

• This is derived from beneath deposits that are either ores coatings or are large enough to be extracted profitably.
• Mining could be done in one of two ways: underground or open pit. The type of extraction is determined by the overall depth of such a deposit.
• Vertical tunnels are used to access resources, whereas surface and open-pit mining remove dirt and rocks on top of mineral reserves.
• Surface mining costs less than underground mining. As a result, surface mining is much more common.

Also Read: Coal Formation Stages

Uses of Coal

• Coal is now used not only as a cooking fuel but also as a heat source, particularly in cold climates and developing countries. This provides a much cheaper method of cooking as well as heat production in areas where liquified petroleum gas and Biogas are not available.
• It is frequently used as a basic component in the production of everyday commodities such as steel and iron. Coal has been used indirectly to produce steel in the steel industry.
• It is used in a variety of industries to manufacture a wide range of products. Coal is used in a variety of industries, including cement production, paper manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Coal is used by the chemical industry to produce a variety of raw materials such as benzol and sulphate of sodium.
• Coal is used to make carbon fibre. It is the strongest and lightest element available for making stabilisers, sports equipment, and even mountain motorcycles.
• It aids in the development of alumina mills.
• Likewise, it could have been converted into gas or liquid, which could have been used to power vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and ships.
• Furthermore, it is primarily used as fuel in the combustion process to generate energy. Thermal coal is frequently used to generate energy in power plants.
• Activated carbon is made from coal. Activated carbon is used in air and water purification filters, as well as renal dialysis technology.
• Activated charcoal has been used in the production of cosmetics and facial treatments.

Summary

Coal, a carbon-rich substance that is usually black or brown, is found in multilayered rock deposits. This is one of the most important fossil fuels and can be found all over the world. For thousands of years, heat, and pressure on flora accumulated in old swampy wetlands have produced coal. Its volume, thickness, rigidity, and density all vary. It is constantly used as a fuel, an ash source, and a producer of various chemicals used in the synthesis of dyes, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals. Exploration for alternative energy sources has occasionally refocused attention on the processing of coal into liquid fuels; coal liquefaction methods were also recognised in the early twentieth century.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is coal’s environmental impact?

Ans. Particulate pollutants, ozone in the earth’s crust, acid rain, and smog are all environmental drawbacks of using coal as a source of energy. Fly ash granules are released into the atmosphere after coal is burned with fuel oil, causing air pollution problems.

2. What exactly is the coal formula?

Ans. The four types of coal are anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite. The chemical investigation yields an empirical formula for bituminous coal, such as \({C_{137}}{H_{97}}{O_9}NS\), as well as anthracite, \({C_{240}}{H_{90}}{O_4}NS\).

3. What contaminants are present in coal?

Ans. Impurities such as sulphur and nitrogen have been discovered in coal. When coal burns, such pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere.