Types of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are deposits of once living organisms. They take centuries to form. When fossil fuels are burned, they release energy. That energy is used for heating and electricity. Since fossil fuels consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms, they create carbon dioxide when they are burned, or combusted. During burning, other particulates are released into the air as well. These particulates can cause lung damage in humans.

Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources and supplies are running out. However they generate huge amounts of energy and are the cheapest form of energy we know of today. The other major downside of fossil fuels is their negative impact on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas accumulation, acid rain, air and water pollution. These problems are caused by the release of pollutants such as sulphur and nitrogen when fossil fuels are combusted.

The main types of fossil fuel are:

Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is used for generating electricity and for manufacturing. Petroleum is formed from the remains of biodegraded organic marine microorganisms. Dead sea animals were covered in silt for millions of years. When the microorganisms compressed they became oil.

Petroleum is the most widely used fossil fuel. It is used to fuel jets and automobiles and to make roofs and roads. It also creates electricity by powering generators and it heats homes and commercial buildings. Most oil today comes from the Middle East. It is projected that there is only enough petroleum left to last for the next sixty years. Petroleum represents an estimated 40 percent of the world demand of energy.

Petroleum has a negative impact on the environment. The oil contains sulfur and nitrogen and therefore contributes to the green house effect and to pollution. Oil burning is reportedly responsible for 30 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.

Natural gas is a relatively new energy source. Until 1999 more coal was used than gas. Natural gas is also formed by marine microorganisms. It is found in the deposits of petroleum and recovered during the drilling process. There are also wells in the land that have natural gas.

Natural gas is used in the automotive industry and to heat buildings. It is relatively clean compared to coal and oil. Only traces of sulfur and nitrogen are found in the gas. It is also fairly abundant. Most natural gas is found in Africa and Europe. Experts predict we will run out of natural gas by the end of the 21st century.

Coal is created by decomposed prehistoric plants. The hydrogen content of these plants eroded leaving behind carbon-rich material. That material was covered in silt and eventually became coal.

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel today. Worldwide use has doubled since the middle of the twentieth century and coal use is expected to increase as oil supplies become smaller. The current supply of coal is projected to last another 200 years. China and India are currently the heaviest users of coal for energy.

Coal ranges from dirty coal to cleaner, pure coal. The higher the carbon content, the cleaner the coal. Peat, which is burned in furnaces, is an example of dirty coal. Coke, on the other hand, is a very pure form used in the steel industry where high temperatures are required.

Purer coals do produce carbon dioxide but they also produce fewer bi-products. Impure coal, on the other hand, contains sulfur and nitrogen. Oxygen in the air mixes with these elements to form sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Excess sulfur dioxide creates acid rain which can be dangerous at high concentrations

Since there is more coal available than other types of fossil fuels, and because the United States is committed to becoming less dependent on oil, new, clean coal technologies are being developed.

Clean coal technology is the process of refining coal to create cleaner, more efficient energy. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are reduced, therefore causing less pollution from combustion.

Supplies of these non-renewable energy sources are running out. As a result, it is critical we continue to look for alternative, renewable energy sources.

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