FOSSIL FUELS

Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years. Fossil fuels contain high percentages of carbon and include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. They range from volatile materials with low carbon:hydrogen ratios like methane, to liquidpetroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. Methane can be found in hydrocarbon fields, alone, associated with oil, or in the form of methane clathrates. Fossil fuels formed from the fossilized remains of dead plantsby exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth's crust over millions of years. This biogenic theory was first introduced by Georg Agricola in 1556 and later by Mikhail Lomonosov in the 18th century. It was estimated by the Energy Information Administration that in 2007 primary sources of energy consisted of petroleum 36.0%, coal 27.4%, natural gas 23.0%, amounting to an 86.4% share for fossil fuels in primary energy consumption in the world. Non-fossil sources in 2006 included hydroelectric 6.3%, nuclear 8.5%, and others (geothermal, solar, tide, wind, wood, waste) amounting to 0.9%. World energy consumption was growing about 2.3% per year. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being made. The production and use of fossil fuels raise environmental concerns. A global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet increased energy needs. The burning of fossil fuels produces around 21.3 billion tonnes (21.3 gigatonnes) of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, but it is estimated that natural processes can only absorb about half of that amount, so there is a net increase of 10.65 billion tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year (one tonne of atmospheric carbon is equivalent to 44/12 or 3.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide). Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that enhances radiative forcing and contributes to global warming, causing the average surface temperature of the Earth to rise in response, which the vast majority of climate scientists agree will cause major adverse effect

TYPES OF FOSSIL FUELS

There are many different types of fossil fuels, but of them, coal, oil, petroleum and natural gas are the most widely used. These fossil fuels are easy to use for energy as they only need a simple direct combustion, though this leads to a lot of pollution.

Petroleum: Also called "crude oil," this liquid fuel is available in many parts of the
world. Like coal, petroleum is formed from the biodegraded remains of animals that that lived in the sea and died there. These remains structured themselves into layers of fine dirt on the ocean bed, known as silt. With time, pressure from the layers already formed compressed the organic material, forming the oil. Petroleum is available in a variety of thicknesses, depending on the amount of gases and solids it contains. It is usually available in three forms-paraffin, asphaltic, and mixed-base. Together, they form hydrocarbon-based oil. Petroleum has many uses ranging from electricity generation to manufacturing medicines, plastics and others.

Coal: When land vegetation decayed over millions of years, a solid fossil fuel developed
called coal. It formed into layers and layers of vegetation and grew compacted and heated over time and is recognized as coal. Compared with the other fossil fuels, it is more in supply. It is extracted in mines, but its use is declining now, except in countries India and China where it is used for energy.

Coal, one of the fossil fuels.

Oil: This liquid fossil fuel, better known as crude oil, is borne of the remains of marine
micro organisms that lay deposited on the sea floor. After millions of years, these deposits harden into rock and sediment where oil lies trapped in small spaces. This is the most widely used fossil fuel. It has wide applications in a refining process, in cars, jets, roads and roofs.

Natural gas: This gaseous fossil fuel is versatile, abundant and clean, when compared
to coal and oil. Just like oil, it too is formed from the remains of marine micro organisms. It contains methane and is highly compressed at large depths in the earth in small volumes. These three fossil fuels are useful as electricity and heat, used in factories.

ADVANTAGES AND DIS ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS

Advantages of Fossil Fuels

A major advantage of fossil fuels is their capacity to generate huge amounts of electricity in just a single location. Fossil fuels are very easy to find. When coal is used in power plants, they are very cost effective. Coal is also in abundant supply. Transporting oil and gas to the power stations can be made through the use of pipes making it an easy task. Power plants that utilize gas are very efficient. Power stations that make use of fossil fuel can be constructed in almost any location. This is possible as long as large quantities of fuel can be easily brought to the power plants.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

Pollution is a major disadvantage of fossil fuels. This is because they give off carbon dioxide when burned thereby causing a greenhouse effect. This is also the main contributory factor to the global warming experienced by the earth today. Coal also produces carbon dioxide when burned compared to burning oil or gas. Additionally, it gives off sulphur dioxide, a kind of gas that creates acid rain.

Environmentally, the mining of coal results in the destruction of wide areas of land. Mining this fossil fuel is also difficult and may endanger the lives of miners. Coal mining is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Power stations that utilize coal need large amounts of fuel. In other words, they not only need truckloads but trainloads of coal on a regular basis to continue operating and generating electricity. This only means that coal-fired power plants should have reserves of coal in a large area near the plants location. Use of natural gas can cause unpleasant odours and some problems especially with transportation. Use of crude oil causes pollution and poses environmental hazards such as oil spills when oil tankers, for instance, experience leaks or drown deep under the sea. Crude oil contains toxic chemicals which cause air pollutants when combusted.

Common Uses Of Fossil Fuels

Everything on this planet needs energy, and this energy is derived from renewable and non-renewable energy sources, including solar energy and fossil fuels. While fossil fuels are abundantly used to drive life on earth, renewable energy sources are way behind in use.

Uses of Fossil Fuels

Despite global warming, fossil fuels top the list of non-renewable energy sources that are most abundantly used. Fossil fuels serve the following purposes:

Electricity: The most common use of fossil fuels is the generation of electricity.
Fossil fuels like coal run most of the power plants in the world that generate electricity. Transportation: Most modes of transport are powered by coal and petrol. Though hybrid and electric vehicles have made inroads into our lives, fossil fuels still power millions of vehicles. Industrial production: Fossil fuels, especially coal and oil, power most of the industries throughout the world. Kitchens: Nearly one-third of world's population uses fossil fuels like coal and biomass, such as wood and dung for cooking and heating. Heating: During winters, fossil fuels like coal, wood, and gas serve as great heating generators.