definition of fuel
a chemical substance which has chemical energy stored in its bonds which can be used to release energy
define peak oil
consumer demand exceeds what is available in terms of energy
what are the two types of fuel?
renewable and non-renewable
what is renewable fuel?
- replenished in a shorter period of time
what is a non-renewable fuel?
what are the non-renewables?
coal, natural gas, crude oil
what does coal originate from? where is it found? what makes each type different?
- mined from underground where there are different types all varying in %C
peat
- 25KJg-1
brown coal
- 30KJg-1
black coal
- 35KJg-1
why do the coals differ?
lower down (black coal) has more pressure, less H2O and increased temperature this increases % of carbon and so more energy is released
what is the reaction when coal burns?
C(s) + O2(g)—-> CO2(g)
how is energy made from coal?
where is energy lost in coal burning? how much remains?
what is natural gas made of?
- some ethane and propane
where is natural gas located?
how is natural gas extracted?
fracking
how does fracking work?
what environmental problems are there with fracking?
- chemicals may get in water supplies etc.
how is crude oil formed? what is it composed of? where from?
what is fractional distillation? how does it work?
used varying boiling temps of hydrocarbons to seperate them.
what are the renewable fuels?
bio gas, bioethanol, biodiesel
define biofuel
uses plant matter but can also use dead animal matter
what is biogas?
natural gas made from living matter