Fossil Fuels: Coal and Petroleum

Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources(which are present in a limited quantity). They are exhaustible, and will not last for a long period of time if not used judiciously. Although fossil fuels are continually formed by natural processes, they are classified as non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form. Fossil fuels were formed by the remains of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna that decayed millions of years ago and got buried in layers under huge amounts of pressure and heat. These sources are responsible for pollution to the environment because carbon is the main element present in fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.

Coal - Description

Coal is a black coloured rock-like fuel in which the content of carbon can vary between 70-90%. It is formed by the decomposition of vegetation under heat and pressure. The process of formation of coal is called carbonisation and the time period during which this process takes place is called the carboniferous age. Coal is one of the most important fossil fuels used to generate electricity. Coal is taken out from the earth by the process of underground mining or surface mining. We burn coal to get energy. Coal is mostly used as a domestic fuel to make food in rural areas. When coal is burnt, it releases harmful smoke. Coal is formed when the buried vegetation is subjected to extremities of heat and pressure. The formation of coal takes place in four stages which are peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite. Coal mainly contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Types of Coal

1. Lignite 

Lignite is the lowest rank of coal in terms of carbon content(60-70%). It is the youngest type of coal deposit. It is soft and ranges in color from black to shades of brown. As a result, lignite coal is sometimes called brown coal. Lignite is not used on a large scale because other types of coal are superior to it in terms of handling and storage stability. Lignite is used to generate electricity, synthetic natural gas, and to create fertilizer products like anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulphate.

2. Sub-bituminous  

When lignite is subjected to continued high temperature and pressure for millions of years, the oxygen and hydrogen content gets decreased and the carbon content increases up to 75%. This type of coal burns cleaner than the lignite variety, producing less greenhouse gas emissions.  Sub-bituminous coal is also used in electricity generation and in industrial processes.

3. Bituminous

Bituminous coal is blacker and harder than sub-bituminous coal. It contains a tar-like substance called bitumen. Hence, its name is bituminous. It has a carbon content of up to 85%. It accounts for a majority of the coal industry. Bituminous coal is used in energy generation and for heating purposes also. It is also used in the manufacturing of cement and other industrial uses. 

4. Anthracite

Anthracite is the most superior form of coal or most mature form of coal deposit i.e it contains the highest carbon content (more than 85%). It is harder than bituminous. It is used to provide energy. It burns as a smokeless fuel in furnaces.

Petroleum - Description

Petroleum is a black coloured liquid fossil fuel composed of a variety of hydrocarbons. It is highly viscous. It is a very useful energy source. However, the petroleum extracted from oil wells is not in a directly usable form. It is impure and, therefore, called crude oil.

Through a process called fractional distillation, this crude oil is refined where different hydrocarbons separate to form different fractions. Petrol, kerosene, paraffin, diesel are some of its fractions. Petrol is used as fuel in vehicles. The fractions obtained by the refining of crude oil are used not just for transportation but also for the manufacture of a variety of products such as plastics, tires, and synthetic materials such as polyester. It is a dependable and portable source of energy. 

However, petroleum has some advantages as compared to coal. These are as follows:

1. It is a high-density fuel.

2. Petroleum is easy to extract.

3. Petroleum can be stored, shipped, and piped over long distances.

4. Petroleum can be used in a wide variety of ways.

5. Petroleum provides a stable energy resource.

However, the combustion of both coal and petroleum is detrimental to the environment.

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Properties of Coal and Petroleum:

1. Coal: Coal comes in various ranks, from soft, brown lignite to hard, black anthracite. Its main component is carbon, along with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. When burned, coal releases heat energy, but it also produces harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

2. Petroleum: Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, ranging from light, volatile gases like methane to heavy, viscous liquids like bitumen. Its properties vary depending on the composition. Petroleum is generally easier to transport and burn than coal, but it also contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Difference between Coal and Petroleum - Tabular Form

Uses and Advantages of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels, despite their drawbacks, have played a crucial role in human development and continue to be used extensively. Here's a breakdown of their uses and advantages:

Uses:

• Power generation: Fossil fuels are the primary source of electricity for many countries, with coal, oil, and natural gas powering thermal power plants.

• Transportation: Oil and gasoline are the main fuels for cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships.

• Heating: Natural gas and propane are commonly used for heating homes and buildings.

• Manufacturing: Fossil fuels are used in various industrial processes, including steel production, cement manufacturing, and plastic production.

• Fertilizers and pesticides: Natural gas is a key ingredient in fertilisers and pesticides.

• Chemicals and pharmaceuticals: Many everyday products, from clothing to medicines, are derived from fossil fuels.

Advantages:

• High energy density: Fossil fuels store a large amJount of energy in a relatively small volume, making them efficient for transportation and power generation.

• Abundant and readily available: Fossil fuels are widely distributed around the world and easily accessible.

• Mature infrastructure: Existing infrastructure for extracting, transporting, and using fossil fuels is well-developed and efficient.

• Reliable and controllable: Fossil fuel power plants can be easily turned on and off to meet energy demands.

• Relatively affordable: Currently, fossil fuels are often cheaper than renewable energy sources.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

• Dangers to our environment: When we burn fossil fuels, like coal and oil, we release carbon dioxide into the air. This gas is a big contributor to global warming, causing Earth's temperature to rise. This warming leads to problems like melting polar ice caps and flooding in low-lying areas.

• Acid Rain Troubles: Burning fossil fuels also releases sulphur dioxide. This is a major cause of acid rain, which harms crops and damages structures made of materials like marble and bricks.

• Trouble in the Water: When oil tankers and ships sink, they can create oil spills in our seas and oceans. This pollution harms the water and destroys aquatic life, upsetting the balance of the ecosystem.

We don't have an endless supply of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum. We're using them up fast, and experts predict that we might run out in the next 30-40 years. These resources are crucial to us, shaping the world since we first found them.

Conservation of Coal and Petroleum

As we already know, coal and petroleum are exhaustible sources of energy. If they are not used judiciously, they will not last for more than a few decades. Since they are widely used as sources of energy throughout the world, it is of utmost importance to think about their conservation. Conservation is the process of using a resource in a more careful way so that it can be made to last for a longer period of time. We can conserve coal and petroleum by switching to alternative or renewable sources of energy, such as hydel power, wind energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, etc. 

In the coming times, the alternatives to fossil fuels like coal and petroleum will provide us more environmentally friendly options for sustainable development, but they will also help in delaying the energy crisis that the world is about to face very shortly.

Conclusion

Fossil fuels have played a crucial role in human history, shaping our technological advancements and economic development. However, their continued use comes at a significant environmental cost. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is essential to explore and adopt cleaner energy sources while responsibly managing the decline of fossil fuels. By understanding the science behind these remarkable energy sources and their impact on our planet, we can make informed choices and pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.